Some things don’t happen very often. These are called “rare” things. They might be special events, unusual situations, or something surprising. People don’t always say “it’s rare.” Instead, they use creative sayings called idioms. These idioms help us describe rare things in fun and interesting ways.
In this article, we will learn about idioms that people use when they talk about something that doesn’t happen much. These sayings will help you talk better and write more clearly. They are also easy to understand and fun to use in everyday life. Let’s look at 30 idioms that mean something is rare.
Idioms for Rare
1. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
Samples: We go out to eat as a family once in a blue moon. / Snow falls here once in a blue moon.
To Put it Another Way: It hardly ever happens. / That’s something we almost never do.
2. A rare bird
Meaning: A person or thing that is unusual or hard to find.
Samples: He’s a rare bird, always reading while others play video games. / That kind of honesty is a rare bird these days.
To Put it Another Way: You don’t see people like that often. / It’s not common.
3. Like finding a needle in a haystack
Meaning: Something very hard to find because it’s so rare.
Samples: Finding my lost earring in the playground was like finding a needle in a haystack. / That answer was like a needle in a haystack in the big textbook.
To Put it Another Way: It was very hard to find. / It’s super rare to come across.
4. Once in a lifetime
Meaning: Something so rare it might only happen once ever.
Samples: Going to the Olympics was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. / That award was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
To Put it Another Way: It only happens one time, maybe never again. / It’s a very special and rare event.
5. One of a kind
Meaning: Truly special or rare, not like anything else.
Samples: Her handmade doll is one of a kind. / That snowflake shape was one of a kind.
To Put it Another Way: There’s nothing else like it. / It’s totally unique.
6. Few and far between
Meaning: Not many of them and not often found.
Samples: Good teachers like her are few and far between. / Sunny days in winter are few and far between here.
To Put it Another Way: You don’t see them a lot. / They hardly ever happen.
7. Rare gem
Meaning: Something very special or hard to find.
Samples: Her old storybook is a rare gem. / That little beach spot was a rare gem.
To Put it Another Way: It’s special and hard to come by. / Not many people have it.
8. Like gold dust
Meaning: Very rare and valuable.
Samples: Tickets to the concert were like gold dust. / That old comic book is like gold dust now.
To Put it Another Way: It’s hard to get. / It’s very rare and wanted.
9. Break the mold
Meaning: Someone or something very different from the rest.
Samples: She broke the mold with her new invention. / His way of thinking breaks the mold.
To Put it Another Way: Not like anyone else. / Very rare in how they do things.
10. Not a dime a dozen
Meaning: Not something you see all the time.
Samples: That hand-painted picture is not a dime a dozen. / Her kindness is not a dime a dozen.
To Put it Another Way: You don’t find it everywhere. / It’s not common.
11. Stand out from the crowd
Meaning: Be different and noticeable because it’s rare.
Samples: His bright red shoes stand out from the crowd. / That answer really stood out from the crowd.
To Put it Another Way: It’s special and different. / People notice it.
12. In a league of its own
Meaning: So good or rare that nothing else compares.
Samples: Her artwork is in a league of its own. / That dessert was in a league of its own.
To Put it Another Way: Nothing else comes close. / It’s better and different.
13. Blue moon event
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
Samples: A full eclipse is a blue moon event. / That kind of win is a blue moon event.
To Put it Another Way: It doesn’t happen often. / It’s very rare.
14. Out of the ordinary
Meaning: Different and not normal.
Samples: That flash of light was out of the ordinary. / His idea was out of the ordinary but smart.
To Put it Another Way: Not what usually happens. / Something strange or rare.
15. A diamond in the rough
Meaning: Something rare and valuable that may not look special at first.
Samples: That tiny library is a diamond in the rough. / She’s a diamond in the rough with big talent.
To Put it Another Way: Special, but you might not notice it right away. / A rare good thing.
16. A one-hit wonder
Meaning: Someone or something that was great only one time.
Samples: That song was a one-hit wonder. / He was a one-hit wonder in the game.
To Put it Another Way: Good, but it only happened once. / It was rare and didn’t last.
17. Off the beaten path
Meaning: Unusual or not commonly done.
Samples: We went to an off-the-beaten-path hiking trail. / That movie is off the beaten path but interesting.
To Put it Another Way: Not the usual thing. / Rare choice.
18. A lucky break
Meaning: A rare and unexpected good chance.
Samples: Getting that job was a lucky break. / Her lucky break came when the coach picked her.
To Put it Another Way: A rare, good surprise. / Something lucky that doesn’t happen often.
19. Lightning in a bottle
Meaning: Something amazing that is very hard to do again.
Samples: That winning shot was lightning in a bottle. / Their teamwork was lightning in a bottle.
To Put it Another Way: Something really rare and great. / Hard to repeat.
20. Like catching a unicorn
Meaning: Impossible or extremely rare.
Samples: Finding that toy in stores now is like catching a unicorn. / Getting him to say sorry is like catching a unicorn.
To Put it Another Way: Almost impossible. / Super rare.
21. A snowball in July
Meaning: Something that’s very unlikely to happen.
Samples: Me winning that race is like a snowball in July. / That plan has a snowball’s chance in July.
To Put it Another Way: It’s probably not going to happen. / It’s rare or impossible.
22. Hit the jackpot
Meaning: A rare win or great success.
Samples: She hit the jackpot with her new school project. / He hit the jackpot finding that old toy.
To Put it Another Way: Got something special. / Very lucky and rare.
23. Like hens’ teeth
Meaning: Very hard to find or rare.
Samples: Days off for teachers are like hens’ teeth. / That model of bike is like hens’ teeth now.
To Put it Another Way: Doesn’t happen much. / Almost never.
24. An odd duck
Meaning: A person who is different or rare in their behavior.
Samples: He’s an odd duck but kind. / She’s an odd duck who loves cold pizza for breakfast.
To Put it Another Way: Someone not like most people. / A rare personality.
25. The exception, not the rule
Meaning: Something that happens rarely, not normally.
Samples: Snow in May is the exception, not the rule. / Getting that grade without studying was the exception, not the rule.
To Put it Another Way: It doesn’t happen often. / It’s rare.
26. Hard to come by
Meaning: Something that’s rare or not easy to get.
Samples: Honest friends like her are hard to come by. / That old book is hard to come by.
To Put it Another Way: You don’t find it often. / It’s rare.
27. Lucky find
Meaning: A rare discovery.
Samples: That old coin was a lucky find. / We had a lucky find in the attic.
To Put it Another Way: Found something rare by chance. / A surprise discovery.
28. Not seen every day
Meaning: Rare to come across.
Samples: A rainbow like that is not seen every day. / That animal is not seen every day in this area.
To Put it Another Way: It doesn’t happen often. / You don’t see it much.
29. Like winning the lottery
Meaning: Extremely rare and lucky.
Samples: Getting chosen felt like winning the lottery. / That big prize was like winning the lottery.
To Put it Another Way: It’s a rare and lucky thing. / Doesn’t happen to most people.
30. Out of the blue
Meaning: Something that happens suddenly and rarely.
Samples: He showed up out of the blue after years. / The rain came out of the blue.
To Put it Another Way: It happened without warning. / It was rare and sudden.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Rare
Activity Title: “A Day Full of Surprises”
Last Saturday, Mia and her family planned a quiet day at home. But what happened was anything but ordinary. While looking in the attic, Mia found her grandma’s diary, a rare gem from the past. “This is not something you see every day,” her dad said.
Later, Mia’s friend Julia called. “Guess what? We won free tickets to a concert. Total lucky break!” Mia couldn’t believe it. Getting tickets like that was like winning the lottery.
When they got to the concert, the weather suddenly changed. Rain poured out of the blue, even though the forecast had said sunshine. They ran for cover, laughing all the way.
As the band played an old song from their childhood, Mia said, “This is a blast from the past.” Julia nodded. “And going to a concert with you? That’s a once-in-a-blue-moon thing.”
As they left, a rainbow appeared. “Wow,” Mia whispered. “That’s like catching a unicorn.”
Your Task:
Underline or list all 8 idioms for are used in the story.
Answer Key
- Rare gem
- Not seen every day
- Lucky break
- Like winning the lottery
- Out of the blue
- Blast from the past
- Once in a blue moon
- Like catching a unicorn
Conclusion
Idioms help us talk about rare things in fun and colorful ways. When someone says “once in a blue moon” or “like finding a needle in a haystack,” we understand that they mean something doesn’t happen often. These expressions are short, but they help us explain ideas more clearly.
You can use these idioms when writing stories or sharing events with others. They make your language more interesting. If something rare happens, try using one of these idioms to describe it. It can help others understand just how special that moment really is.
