Cool MateThat'll be the day vs Yeah right
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That'll be the day
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Yeah right
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most common: Yeah right
| That'll be the day | Yeah right | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðætəl bi ðə deɪ//🇺🇸 //ðætəl bi ðə deɪ// | 🇬🇧 //jɛə raɪt//🇺🇸 //jɛə raɪt// |
| Meaning | A phrase used to express doubt that something will happen. | A way to express disbelief or sarcasm. |
| Example | He thinks he will win the lottery? That'll be the day. | She said she could run a marathon without training. Yeah right! |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | say that'll be the day, believe that'll be the day, think that'll be the day | say yeah right, respond with yeah right, look at someone and say yeah right |
| Antonyms | - | no way, not at all, never, definitely not |
| Common mistakes | Misusing it as a literal prediction instead of expressing skepticism., Using it in serious or formal discussions where it may seem dismissive. | Using in formal settings where it's inappropriate., Confusing with 'yeah' which is more affirmative., Misusing the tone; it should sound sarcastic. |
| Usage notes | Used in conversational contexts, often when discussing something unlikely to happen. Avoid in formal writing. | Used informally to show doubt about something someone said, typically in a sarcastic manner. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: That'll be the day vs Yeah right
What's the difference between That'll be the day and Yeah right?
That'll be the day: A phrase used to express doubt that something will happen. Yeah right: A way to express disbelief or sarcasm.
Which is more common: That'll be the day and Yeah right?
Yeah right is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
That'll be the day: He thinks he will win the lottery? That'll be the day. Yeah right: She said she could run a marathon without training. Yeah right!
Can I use That'll be the day and Yeah right interchangeably?
Not always. That'll be the day and Yeah right are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.