when the band begins to play —(coll.) when matters become very serious or critical:
- …they are supplied with the best of weapons. Naturally only the best is good enough when the band begins to play.
when the fat lady sings—(U.S. sl.) when smth. is finally concluded; at the end of a match, performance, etc.:
- We can leave with everybody else when the fat lady sings.
Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase when one’s ship comes home—when one comes into money:
- The other guests on our table all had cabins on the 8th deck. Maybe when “my ship comes home”—when I become rich I’ll be able to afford a cabin right up high…