A snowball's chance in hell

Meaning

Virtually no chance of succeeding.

Usage

Used when describing extremely long odds.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Metaphor comparing a snowball's survival in heat to an unlikely event.

Popularized in 20th-century American speech to express impossibility.