How to Use once in a blue moon in a Sentence

once in a blue moon

idiom
  • But every once in a blue moon, a new trick will appear out of nowhere and blow me away.
    Yoni Heisler, BGR, 24 Feb. 2021
  • As for giving up goals, well, that happens once in a blue moon.
    Matt Le Cren, chicagotribune.com, 12 Apr. 2022
  • Even the ones who only cash in on their vacation days every once in a blue moon.
    Caroline Lupini, USA TODAY, 25 June 2021
  • Generally, being late to take a dose once in a blue moon isn’t a cause for concern.
    Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 24 Sep. 2023
  • Haji holds a track session once in a blue moon, but this time the program is 2 minutes at a hard effort, 16 times.
    Hannah Borenstein, Outside Online, 25 Mar. 2020
  • Since then, the number of forwards that have come in to RSL’s camp and failed to score more than once in a blue moon requires some extra appendages to count.
    Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 Oct. 2020
  • For instance, there’s an increase in those who search daily rather than logging in once in a blue moon, Pollak said.
    Carolyn Said, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Nov. 2022
  • These bristles can then stick to a grill surface, and every once in a blue moon a bristle can end up in someone's food—like inside a burger or a steak.
    John Thompson, Men's Health, 7 July 2023
  • My husband has been through a lot of tough stuff in his life, and his silly side only comes out with our two children (one toddler and one baby) once in a blue moon.
    Meghan Leahy - Parenting Q&a, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Feb. 2023
  • Edinson Cavani, the current second-string centre forward who does pose a threat on the pitch, can only play once in a blue moon and spends the rest of the time on the sidelines or in the treatment room.
    Liam Canning, Forbes, 17 Apr. 2022
  • Growing up near Houston meant snow was a luxury afforded once in a blue moon.
    Jay R. Jordan, Chron, 21 Nov. 2020
  • Gangubai, is that one special really, once in a blue moon kind of experience.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Dec. 2022
  • There's not supposed to be an ignition source on the engine anywhere, but once in a blue moon, a stray spark or an overheated exhaust manifold can make the carb cleaner flare up.
    Mike Allen, Popular Mechanics, 2 Oct. 2020
  • While you're not restricted from enjoying these items once in a blue moon, they should be avoided as much as possible on a routine daily basis.
    Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 1 Nov. 2022
  • While there are glimpses of the rhythm game renaissance every once in a blue moon, music-first releases have essentially become extinct.
    Brittany Vincent, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2023
  • From towel warmers to oversized sherpa hoodies, there’s a little something in here for people of all tastes — including that weird uncle who only shows up once in a blue moon.
    Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2023
  • Good stories come from good reporters with good sources working for good organizations—though every once in a blue moon, a good story comes from a bad reporter working for a bad newspaper or TV network.
    Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 10 Sep. 2020

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'once in a blue moon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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