Figurative meaning
used to say emphatically that a particular event will never happen
Word picture
An impossibly cold hell emphasizes refusal or disbelief; the expression is informal and strong.
Example
“I will never lend him money again; it will be a cold day in hell before I trust him with another dollar.”
Recorded usage
These full forms were measured in COCA in 2016–2017. Counts apply to the quoted form, not every use of this idiom; overlapping forms are not added together.
Grouped source variants; editorially classified here as an idiom. Usage counts are separate from CEFR difficulty.
Dictionary details
Tags
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
do your own thing
CEFR B1follow your own preferences rather than conforming to what others do
easy does it
CEFR B1used to tell someone to proceed slowly, gently, or carefully
enough is enough
CEFR B1used to say that something unwelcome must stop because you will tolerate no more
fair enough
CEFR B1used to accept someone's explanation, proposal, or point as reasonable
it's a small world
CEFR B1used to express surprise at an unexpected connection or meeting
long time no see
CEFR B1a friendly greeting to someone you have not seen for a long time
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.