how long is a piece of string

phrase

Used as a response to a question such as "How long will it take?" or "How big is it?" when the length or size is unknown, infinite, variable, or relative.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

phrasehow long is a piece of string?
  1. colloquialhumorousoftenrhetoricUsed as a response to a question such as "How long will it take?" or "How big is it?" when the length or size is unknown, infinite, variable, or relative.
Cite this entry
APA

how long is a piece of string. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/how%20long%20is%20a%20piece%20of%20string

MLA

“how long is a piece of string.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/how%20long%20is%20a%20piece%20of%20string. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “how long is a piece of string,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/how%20long%20is%20a%20piece%20of%20string.

Source: how long is a piece of string on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.