Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

that'll be the day

/ˌðætl̩ bi ðə ˈdeɪ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.95 in modern English

Syllables
that'l-l be the -day
IPA
/ˌðætl̩ bi ðə ˈdeɪ/
26
Scrabble Score
14
Letters
3
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

phrase

Said in reply to something that one believes will never happen.

New Zealand usage; Informal

Example Sentences

Etymology

Originally referring to a significant day in the future regarded as worth waiting for.

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˌðætl̩ bi ðə ˈdeɪ/
  • British English: /ˌðætl̩ biː ðə ˈdeɪ/

Usage

Phrases

a cold day in hell a week from next Tuesday until the cows come home when hell freezes over when pigs fly

Frequently Paired Words

a cold day in hell a week from next Tuesday until the cows come home when hell freezes over when pigs fly

Synonyms

that'll be the frosty Friday

Questions

How do you pronounce that'll be the day?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˌðætl̩ bi ðə ˈdeɪ/.
What does that'll be the day mean?
Said in reply to something that one believes will never happen.
Where does that'll be the day come from?
Originally referring to a significant day in the future regarded as worth waiting for.

How to pronounce that'll be the day

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “that'll be the day”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌðætl̩ bi ðə ˈdeɪ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “that'll be the day”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “that'll be the day” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.