never-never

[ nev-er-nev-er ]

noun

1. never-never land.
2. British Slang. hire-purchase system.

adjective

1. not real or true; imaginary or ideal; illusory:

   the never-never world of the cinema.

never-never

noun

1. the hire-purchase system of buying
2. remote desert country, as that of W Queensland and central Australia

adjective

1. imaginary; idyllic (esp in the phrase never-never land )

Word History and Origins

Origin of never-never¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

And this never-never tepid retread of a Bush-era policy is, incredibly, the only actual policy on offer.

From The Daily Beast

So, 43 times, and never—never—has an opposition party tried to do anything like this.

From The Daily Beast

"Well, I never—never—" she exclaimed, as Isabel hastily marshalled her up the stair and into the house.

From Project Gutenberg

He had said of her, "She is kind and pitiful; but she would never love me—a broken-spirited man—never—never."

From Project Gutenberg

Give me—your hand, Deirdre—never—never thought I'd reach you—but I couldn't die—there—in the dark—down by the creek.

From Project Gutenberg

Doctor Gardiner may talk to you of love, but he will never—never speak to you of marriage.

From Project Gutenberg

"I never meant to rob them—to rob any one, never—never—" His voice broke slightly on those words.

From Project Gutenberg