Is 'kingdom come' one word or two?

It is a fixed phrase consisting of two words: 'kingdom' and 'come'. It is not hyphenated except when used in a compound adjective (e.g., a kingdom-come scenario).

Where does the phrase 'kingdom come' originate?

It originates from the Lord's Prayer in the Christian tradition: 'Thy kingdom come.' The phrase 'till kingdom come' evolved to mean 'until the end of the world' or 'until the afterlife begins'.

Can I use 'kingdom come' in formal writing?

Its use is generally informal or literary. In formal theological or historical writing, it may appear in quotations or discussions of the phrase itself. For general formal writing, alternatives like 'indefinitely', 'eternity', or 'forever' are preferable.

What does 'blow to kingdom come' mean?

It is a hyperbolic idiom meaning to destroy something completely with an explosion, as if sending its pieces to the afterlife or into oblivion.

kingdom come

Intermediate

UK/ˌkɪŋdəm ˈkʌm/US/ˌkɪŋdəm ˈkʌm/

Informal, Literary

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

The end of the world; the afterlife; eternity.

Used figuratively to mean a very long time, forever, or a state of destruction or oblivion.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily used in the fixed phrase 'till kingdom come' or variants like 'until kingdom come' and 'to kingdom come'. The phrase has both a literal religious meaning and a hyperbolic figurative use.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. The phrase is used similarly in both varieties, though perhaps slightly more common in British English due to its origin in the Book of Common Prayer.

Connotations

Connotes a sense of finality, a very long duration, or complete destruction. The figurative use is often hyperbolic and slightly humorous.

Frequency

Low frequency. Occurs primarily in set phrases and idiomatic expressions.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

tilluntilblow tosend togo to

medium

wait tilllast tilltalk till

weak

pray fordream ofpromise for

Grammar

Valency Patterns

wait/talk/last/sit + till/until + kingdom comeverb + somebody/something + to + kingdom come

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

oblivionperditionthe hereafter

Neutral

forevereternitythe end of time

Weak

a very long timeagesdonkey's years

Vocabulary

Antonyms

the immediate futurethe present momentthe here and now

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“till kingdom come”
“blow something to kingdom come”
“go to kingdom come”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rarely used. Possibly in hyperbole: 'We'll be in meetings until kingdom come.'

Academic

Used in theological or historical contexts discussing eschatology or biblical language.

Everyday

Informal hyperbolic use: 'You can wait till kingdom come, but I'm not changing my mind.'

Technical

Not used.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

The old boiler could blow us all to kingdom come.
That argument will run till kingdom come.

American English

One wrong move could send the whole lab to kingdom come.
He'll talk your ear off till kingdom come.

adjective

British English

It felt like a kingdom-come wait for the bus.

Examples

By CEFR Level

We can play this game till kingdom come!
My mum said I could wait till kingdom come for a new bike.

If you don't fix that wiring, you'll blow the house to kingdom come.
You'll be saving money for a deposit till kingdom come at this rate.

The ceasefire negotiations could drag on until kingdom come for all the progress they're making.
The explosion sent debris flying to kingdom come.

His theological treatise explored the concept of 'kingdom come' in apocalyptic literature.
She vowed to defend her principles till kingdom come, regardless of the political cost.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of the Lord's Prayer: 'Thy kingdom come...'. The phrase 'till kingdom come' extends this to mean 'until that event happens', i.e., a very long time.

Conceptual Metaphor

TIME IS A JOURNEY TO A DESTINATION (the afterlife). DESTRUCTION IS BEING SENT TO ANOTHER REALM.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid a direct, word-for-word translation (королевство пришло).
Do not confuse with the common noun 'kingdom' (королевство).
The phrase is idiomatic; its meaning is not compositional.

Common Mistakes

*'till the kingdom comes' (incorrect fixed article).
*'kingdom to come' (incorrect word order in the fixed phrase).
Using it without 'till/until' or a preceding verb like 'send/blow'.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

With that outdated ammunition, you're more likely to blow yourself to than hit the target.

Multiple Choice

What is the most common structure for using 'kingdom come' to mean 'for a very long time'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: It is a fixed phrase consisting of two words: 'kingdom' and 'come'. It is not hyphenated except when used in a compound adjective (e.g., a kingdom-come scenario).
: It originates from the Lord's Prayer in the Christian tradition: 'Thy kingdom come.' The phrase 'till kingdom come' evolved to mean 'until the end of the world' or 'until the afterlife begins'.
: Its use is generally informal or literary. In formal theological or historical writing, it may appear in quotations or discussions of the phrase itself. For general formal writing, alternatives like 'indefinitely', 'eternity', or 'forever' are preferable.
: It is a hyperbolic idiom meaning to destroy something completely with an explosion, as if sending its pieces to the afterlife or into oblivion.