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until kingdom come

until kingdom come

8.6
For a very long time, possibly forever
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : hasta el fin del mundo
  • And that point can be argued vehemently until kingdom come.

Examples

  • They will continue to fight until kingdom come for their rights.

  • Unlike things that were fleeting, the value of these houses would hold, in perpetuity, until work is done, until kingdom come.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • If I wait for you, I'll have to wait until kingdom come.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • They can flex until Kingdom come and they will still work.

  • They are to endure subjugation by non-Christian authorities until kingdom come.

    Academic text (2009)
  • The old tour guide was visibly agitated at the thought of me coming to her house, knocking on her door, interrupting her tea parties and book club meetings, and telling my horrible story on her front porch every day until kingdom come.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • If I wait for you, I'll have to wait until kingdom come.

  • You can argue your point until kingdom come, but I still won't change my mind.

Synonyms

forever
vsuntil kingdom come
1.0

For all time without end

is less absolute, often meaning a very long or indefinite time
indefinitely
vsuntil kingdom come
104 4.8

For a time with no set end

is used more for very long durations that may suggest forever
eternally
vsuntil kingdom come
53 5.2

For all time without end

can mean a very long time rather than strict endlessness
in perpetuity
vsuntil kingdom come
  • Formal
16 7.8

A time that lasts forever

is more general and can mean indefinitely rather than legally endless
forevermore
vsuntil kingdom come
  • Archaic
8 6.8

Always from now on

is similar but can imply a long or indefinite span rather than strict forever
evermore
vsuntil kingdom come
  • Archaic
3 8.9

Continues for all future time

is the everyday way to say a very long or indefinite time
until the cows come home
vsuntil kingdom come
  • Informal
3 8.5

For a very long time that seems to never end

is a more general expression for long or indefinite duration
until hell freezes over
vsuntil kingdom come
  • Informal
1 9.5

For a very long time, often to say something will never happen

can simply mean a very long or indefinite time rather than strict impossibility
forever and a day
vsuntil kingdom come
  • Archaic
1 5.3

For a very long time with no clear end

is more neutral and can simply mean a very long time
everlastingly
vsuntil kingdom come
1 7.4

In a way that lasts forever

is a more casual way to indicate a very long or indefinite period
unto the ages of ages
vsuntil kingdom come
  • Archaic
9.9

For a very long time that never ends

is more general and less formal, meaning a very long time

Antonyms

222 3.2

For a short time and not permanent

How Long

eternally
53 5.2
until kingdom come
  • Informal
8.6
agelong
  • Archaic
8.4
prolonged
69 3.9
for a while
1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

until + kingdom + come

The phrase 'until kingdom come' (or 'till kingdom come') refers idiomatically to waiting until the end of time or the (biblical) coming of God's kingdom, a cultural/religious reference not derivable from the literal meanings of 'until', 'kingdom', and 'come'. A B1 learner who knows the constituent words would not reliably infer the extended temporal sense, so the MWE is opaque.

Etymology

The idiom until kingdom come may come from an old Christian idea that God's kingdom will come at the end of the world. So, saying until kingdom come came to mean 'for a very long time' or 'forever'.