YourDictionary

Dictionary Home » Phrase Meanings » that'll be the day

What does "that'll be the day" mean?

That will never happen, that's very unlikely, as in You think I'll win the lottery? That'll be the day! Presumably this phrase is short for that will be the day worth waiting for, but it is nearly always used ironically, as in the example. [Mid-1900s]

link/cite print suggestion box