Idiom
Till the cows come home
Till the cows come home means for a very long time, often endlessly or forever.
How people use it
It usually follows a verb of ongoing action: you can argue till the cows come home, but I won't change my mind. It often suggests that the action is pointless or could go on without end. It can also be cheerful (we danced till the cows came home). Until and till are both standard here. The tone is informal and a little folksy.
Also said: until the cows come home.
Examples
- You can complain till the cows come home, but the rent is still going up.
- The kids could play in that creek until the cows come home.
- We talked about old times till the cows came home.
Where it comes from
Cows often wander back to the barn on their own, slowly, at milking time, so waiting for them could take a long while. The phrase is recorded from around 1600, and an early form appears in a play by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher.
Check yourself
1. What does it mean to talk till the cows come home?
Answer: To talk for a very long time. The idiom means for a very long or endless time.
2. Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Answer: You can explain till the cows come home, but she won't listen.. The idiom means a long time, so a two-minute meeting does not fit.
Similar idioms
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