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how long is a piece of string
01
used to say that it is impossible to answer a question concerning the size, length, or amount of something
Humorous
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "how long is a piece of string" and when to use it?
The phrase "how long is a piece of string" is a humorous idiom used to highlight the vagueness or impossibility of providing a precise answer to a question. The origin of this expression is not precisely documented, but it likely developed as a playful way of emphasizing the difficulty in measuring or determining something that lacks clear parameters.
Exemplo
When inquired about the number of possible variations for the design, the architect humorously asked, "How long is a piece of string?"
When asked how long it will take to complete a complex project, the project manager replied, "How long is a piece of string?"
