General
till the cows come home
What does till the cows come home mean?
For an indefinitely long stretch; cows amble back to the barn slowly and late.
"You can argue till the cows come home—I'm not changing my mind."
Origin
Old English-language idiom widely used in the South; the image is of cattle drifting home at their own unhurried pace.
Frequently asked questions
What does "till the cows come home" mean?
It means for a very long time—an indefinitely long stretch.
How do you use "till the cows come home"?
Use it to stress futility or duration, as in "You can argue till the cows come home—I'm not changing my mind."
Where does "till the cows come home" come from?
It's an old English-language idiom widely used in the South; the image is of cattle drifting home at their own unhurried, late pace.
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