once in a purple moon en · ADV
Meanings
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(not-comparable) Synonym of once in a blue moon (“rarely”).
However, in spite all of our complainings, there was a distinct pleasure in shopping along this street, because once in a purple moon, one did strike a really nice model and so very reasonable, that one wondered how the manufacturer could afford to bring it out at the price.
1924, New York Public Library, Dresses - Volumes 10-11, page 15:Again, these usually show up in major currency auctions, only once in a purple moon would a dealer have one in stock.
2012, Robert J. Kravitz, A Collectors Guide to Postage and Fractional Currency, page 20:Once in a purple moon, it may be necessary for the top men to settle some awful impasse between themselves.
1988, Charles Reynell (publisher), The Economist, Volume 307, Issues 7544-7556, page 11:
Relateds
Synonyms
rarely · unoften · seldomly · uncommonly · scarcely · seldom · once in a blue moon · infrequently