What does “Donkey's years” mean?
"Donkey's years" means for a very long time.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I haven't seen her in donkey's years.
Example
They've been friends for donkey's years.
Example
I've been waiting for this opportunity donkey's years
Is “Donkey's years” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Donkey's years” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Donkey's years” effectively in context?
You can use "Donkey's years" to express that something has been happening or someone has been doing something for a very long time. It emphasizes the duration of the time period. For example, if you haven't seen a friend in a long time, you might say, 'I haven't seen her in "donkey's years".'
- 1Reunion
After graduating from college, they lost touch, but they've been friends for donkey's years and recently reconnected.
- 2Waiting
He had been dreaming of this opportunity for donkey's years, and finally, it came.
- 3Longevity
The company has been in business for donkey's years and has established a strong reputation in the industry.
Similar phrases to “Donkey's years”:
For a long time
Example
I haven't seen her in ages.
Eons
An extremely long period of time
Example
They've been friends for eons.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Donkey's years” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Donkey's years" is unknown.
Is “Donkey's years” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Donkey's years" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to emphasize the long duration of time that something has been happening or someone has been doing something.
What tone does “Donkey's years” have?
"Donkey's years" conveys a tone of familiarity and informality. It's often used in casual conversations among friends, family, and colleagues.
Can “Donkey's years” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Donkey's years" can be used in both informal and formal settings. However, it is more commonly used in informal conversations. You can use it to express the idea of a long time in various contexts, such as personal anecdotes, discussions about history, or even in professional settings to describe the longevity of a company or an institution.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I haven't seen her in "donkey's years".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Donkey's years!' to imply a long time.
