once in a blue moon

once in a blue moon
blue moon lue moon" The second full moon occurring in the same month; -- derived from the expression {once in a blue moon}; as, we had a blue moon on January 31, 1999, and another in March. [PJC]

{once in a blue moon} very rarely; -- from the observation that the moon rarely has a bluish tint.

Note: In 1980, the phrase {blue moon} was applied to the second full moon of any month, because this phenomenon is unusual. This new meaning for the old phrase blue moon has become widely accepted. [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Once in a Blue Moon — may refer to: Literature Once in a Blue Moon (graphic novel), a 2004 graphic novel by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir Once in a Blue Moon (stories), a 2003 story collection by Magnus Mills Music Once in a Blue Moon (Fool s Garden album),… …   Wikipedia

  • once in a blue moon — {adv. phr.} Very rarely; very seldom; almost never. * /Coin collecting is interesting, hut you find a valuable coin only once in a blue moon./ * /Once in a blue moon someone grows a very pale marigold, but no truly white marigolds have been… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • once in a blue moon — {adv. phr.} Very rarely; very seldom; almost never. * /Coin collecting is interesting, hut you find a valuable coin only once in a blue moon./ * /Once in a blue moon someone grows a very pale marigold, but no truly white marigolds have been… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Once In A Blue Moon — is a series of graphic novels published by Oni Press, written by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir. The first volume was published in 2004, and featured art by Jennifer Quick. The series is looking for a new artist and has thus yet to publish… …   Wikipedia

  • once in a blue moon — If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens very rarely indeed …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • once in a blue moon — ► once in a blue moon informal very rarely. [ORIGIN: because a ‘blue moon’ is a phenomenon that never occurs.] Main Entry: ↑blue …   English terms dictionary

  • once in a blue moon — (informal) HARDLY EVER, scarcely ever, rarely, very seldom. → moon * * * once in a blue moon Very rarely (from the rare occasions when the moon appears to be blue because of dust particles in the atmosphere) • • • Main Entry: ↑blue * * * once in… …   Useful english dictionary

  • once in a blue moon —    If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens very rarely indeed.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    If something occurs once in a blue moon, it happens very rarely.     Bill has very little contact with his brother. They see each… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • once\ in\ a\ blue\ moon — adv. phr. Very rarely; very seldom; almost never. Coin collecting is interesting, hut you find a valuable coin only once in a blue moon. Once in a blue moon someone grows a very pale marigold, but no truly white marigolds have been raised …   Словарь американских идиом

  • once in a blue moon — mod. rarely. □ I do this only once in a blue moon. □ Once in a blue moon I have a little wine with dinner …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

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