Sừng ngựa hẹn quy kỳ

Definition

1. Idiom:
   • "When horses grow horns": A Vietnamese idiom derived from a Chinese historical allusion, meaning a promise that will never be fulfilled or an event that will never happen. It signifies an impossible condition set to deny a request, equivalent to the English phrases "when pigs fly" or "when hell freezes over."

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Lời hứa của hắn chẳng khác nào "sừng ngựa hẹn quy kỳ". (His promise is no different than "when horses grow horns.")
  • Anh ta sẽ trả tiền cho cô vào ngày "sừng ngựa hẹn quy kỳ" ấy. (He will pay you back on that "when horses grow horns" day.)

Advanced Usage

• This idiom is primarily used in literary or formal contexts to emphasize the impossibility of an event or the emptiness of a promise. It is not common in everyday casual speech.

Origin and Cultural Context

• The idiom originates from the story of Crown Prince Dan of the state of Yan, who was held hostage in the state of Qin during the Warring States period in ancient China. When he asked to return home, the King of Qin set an impossible condition for his release: "I will allow you to return only when crow's heads turn white and horses grow horns."

Synonyms

• When pigs fly: Used to express that something will never happen.
• When hell freezes over: Used to indicate an impossible event.
• A promise written in water: Meaning a promise that is easily broken or forgotten.

Related Idioms

• Chờ cho đến khi mọc râu: (Wait until [you] grow a beard) – Another Vietnamese expression for an impossibly long or futile wait.
• Đợi đến ngày mưa sao: (Wait until the day it rains stars) – Similar in meaning, indicating an impossible event.