Definition

Noun An extremely long, indefinite, and seemingly endless period of time. It is an idiomatic expression used to hyperbolically emphasize a very long duration, often one marked by waiting, absence, or infrequency.

Usage

This phrase is used informally to exaggerate the length of time since something happened or to suggest that something will take a very long time to occur. It is always used with a preposition like "in," "for," or "since."

Examples

• It feels like I haven't had a proper vacation in a month of Sundays.
• You'll be waiting for a month of Sundays if you expect him to apologize first.
• I haven't seen her in a month of Sundays; she must be very busy.

Advanced Usage

The phrase is inherently hyperbolic and figurative. It is not used for literal time measurement. Its strength lies in its old-fashioned, folksy tone to convey a sense of an impossibly long wait.

Variants and Related Words

• Donkey's years: (idiom, plural noun) Another informal idiom meaning a very long time.
  • I haven't been to the cinema in donkey's years.
• Ages: (noun, plural) A common informal word for a long period.
  • It took me ages to finish that book.
• An eternity: (noun) Emphasizes a period that feels endless.
  • The two minutes of silence felt like an eternity.

Synonyms

• A very long time
• An age
• Forever (informal)
• A coon's age (informal, dated)

Related Idioms

• Once in a blue moon: (idiom) This idiom refers to something that happens very rarely, which is a related concept to the long intervals described by "a month of Sundays."
  • He only visits his hometown once in a blue moon.

Noun

1. a time perceived as long
   • I hadn't seen him in a month of Sundays