(as) calm as a millpond

Extremely calm and untroubled, as of water. Though a millpond is specifically a pond that supplies water to power a mill wheel, the term "millpond" can be used to describe any area of calm water. It's so peaceful to just stare out at the water when it's as calm as a millpond like this. Thank goodness the ocean was calm as a millpond for our boat ride today—I get seasick really easily! I'm OK with the kids playing out there today because the lake's been as calm as a millpond.

after a storm comes a calm

proverb Things often improve after a difficult, chaotic, or stressful time. Going through bankruptcy can be very emotionally taxing, but try to remember that after a storm comes a calm. The end of the school year was a whirlwind, as we had kids graduating from both college and high school. I sure hope that after a storm comes a calm! A: "I don't know that I've gone through anything worse in my life than this divorce." B: "Well, they say that after a storm comes a calm. Hopefully, that applies to divorces as well."

after the storm comes a calm

proverb Things often improve after a difficult, chaotic, or stressful time. Primarily heard in US. Going through bankruptcy can be very emotionally taxing, but try to remember that after the storm comes a calm. The end of the school year was a whirlwind, as we had kids graduating from both college and high school. I sure hope that after the storm comes a calm!

be (as) calm as a millpond

To be extremely calm and untroubled, as of water. Though a millpond is specifically a pond that supplies water to power a mill wheel, the term "millpond" can be used to describe any area of calm water. It's so peaceful to just stare out at the water when it's as calm as a millpond like this. Thank goodness the ocean was calm as a millpond for our boat ride today—I get seasick really easily! I'm OK with the kids playing out there today because the lake's been as calm as a millpond.

be in the calm before the storm

To be in a period of inactivity or tranquility before something chaotic begins. Likened to a literal period of calm before a storm begins. Oh, things are quiet now, but we're just in the calm before the storm—the dinner rush will turn this place into a mad house. Activists are preparing for a massive legal battle over the proposed legislation. They say that we're currently in the calm before the storm. When there's only a few minutes until an event is set to start, you realize that you're in the calm before the storm and you get a rush of adrenaline.

See also: before, calm, storm

calm before the storm

A period of inactivity or tranquility before something chaotic begins. Likened to a literal period of calm before a storm begins. Oh, this is the calm before the storm—the dinner rush will turn this place into a mad house. Activists are preparing for a massive legal battle over the proposed legislation. They say that we're currently in the calm before the storm. When there's only a few minutes until an event is set to start, you realize that you're in the calm before the storm and you get a rush of adrenaline.

See also: before, calm, storm

calm down

1. To relax or become less intense. Although this phrase can be applied to things or situations, it is often said as an imperative to one who is openly anxious, angry, or upset. I've been rocking the baby for hours, but I just can't get her to calm down and stop crying. Calm down—we'll be home before curfew. Work was chaotic during the merger, but things are finally calming down now.

2. To soothe someone or diffuse a tense situation. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "calm" and "down." I've been rocking the baby for hours, but I just can't seem to calm her down. The therapy dog really seems to calm down our patients. Ugh, I'm so stressed about work. I think I'll go for a run—that usually calms me down some.

See also: calm, down

calm the waters

To soothe or restore peace to a contentious, volatile, or turbulent situation. The company offered to pay nearly $2.7 billion as a means of calming the waters, but the plaintiffs in the lawsuit refused to be mollified by a dollar amount. Tensions in the city have been high, so we really need to elect a mayor who will calm the waters, rather than fan the flames of division. A: "Do you think that wrapping up the merger will finally calm the waters at work?" B: "I sure hope so."

calm your tits

rude slang Calm down. Relax. Oh, calm your tits, Maggie—we'll be home before curfew. Would you calm your tits already? This is so not a big deal.

calm, cool, and collected

Calm and composed. I was petrified to take the stage, but Alice was calm, cool, and collected. Practicing meditation has helped me to remain calm, cool, and collected in times of trouble. I don't know how the boss is able to be so calm, cool, and collected while the computer system is down and our phones are ringing off the hook.

See also: and, collected

cool, calm, and collected

Calm and composed. I was petrified to take the stage, but Alice was cool, calm, and collected. Practicing meditation has helped me to remain cool, calm, and collected in times of trouble. I don't know how the boss is able to be so cool, calm, and collected while the computer system is down and our phones are ringing off the hook.

See also: and, collected

in the calm before the storm

In a period of inactivity or tranquility before something chaotic begins. Likened to a literal period of calm before a storm begins. Oh, things are quiet now, but we're just in the calm before the storm—the dinner rush will turn this place into a mad house. Activists are preparing for a massive legal battle over the proposed legislation. They say that we're currently in the calm before the storm. When there's only a few minutes until an event is set to start, you realize that you're in the calm before the storm and you get a rush of adrenaline.

See also: before, calm, storm

keep calm and (do something)

cliché Remain steadfast and composed in the pursuit of some goal or objective. Based on the phrase "Keep Calm and Carry On," the slogan of a motivational poster produced by the British government ahead of World War II. An environmental group launched its new campaign on Saturday, "Keep Calm and Save the Rainforest."

keep calm and carry on

Remain steadfast and composed in the face of adversity. Originally the slogan of a motivational poster produced by the British government ahead of World War II, the phrase has, since the early 2000s, become popularized to the point of cliché. A: "I don't know how we're expected to resolve so many software issues ahead of launch." B: "Don't worry, we can do it. Keep calm and carry on!" The Prime Minister is imploring the nation to keep calm and carry on as it heads into the worst economic crisis in decades.

lull before the storm

A period of inactivity or tranquility before something chaotic begins. Likened to a literal period of calm before a storm begins. Oh, this is the lull before the storm—the dinner rush will turn this place into a mad house.

music calms the savage beast

Music often has a calming effect on people in an upset or frenzied state. If Joey starts screaming and throwing a tantrum, try playing some Brahms. It's really true what they say—music calms the savage beast.

the calm after a storm

The period during which things improve after a difficult, chaotic, or stressful time. Yesterday was very hectic, but today I feel like I can finally breathe again. It's the calm after a storm.

the calm before the storm

The period of inactivity or tranquility before something chaotic begins. Likened to a literal period of calm before a storm begins. Oh, things are quiet now, but it's just the calm before the storm—the dinner rush will turn this place into a mad house. Activists are preparing for a massive legal battle over the proposed legislation, calling the current period the calm before the storm.

See also: before, calm, storm

After a storm comes a calm,

and After the storm comes a calm.; The calm after a storm.

Prov. Things are often calm after an upheaval. Jill: I can't believe how peaceful the office is today, when yesterday everyone was either being fired or threatening to quit. Jane: After a storm comes a calm.

calm down

to relax; to become less busy or active. Now, now, calm down. You look so nervous. Please calm down. Nothing bad is going to happen.

See also: calm, down

calm someone (or an animal) down

to cause someone or an animal to be less active, upset, or unsettled. Please try to calm yourself down! Can you calm down your yapping dog?

See also: calm, down

cool, calm, and collected

Cliché [of a person] very calm and poised. James did very well in his TV appearances. He stayed cool, calm, and collected. The bad news didn't seem to distress Jane at all. She remained cool, calm, and collected.

See also: and, collected

lull before the storm

and calm before the storm

a quiet period just before a period of great activity or excitement. (Literal in reference to weather.) It was very quiet in the cafeteria just before the students came in for lunch. It was the lull before the storm. In the brief calm before the storm, the clerks prepared themselves for the doors to open and bring in thousands of shoppers.

cool, calm, and collected

Calm and composed, self-possessed. For example, No matter what the board decides, you have to appear cool, calm, and collected in front of the stockholders . This alliterative synonym for cool as a cucumber dates from the late 1800s.

See also: and, collected

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the calm before the storm

the lull before the storm

COMMON You describe a very quiet period as the calm before the storm or the lull before the storm if it is followed by a period of trouble or intense activity. Things are relatively relaxed at the moment, but I think it's probably the calm before the storm. The Emergency Department is fairly quiet, the lull before the storm. Note: This expression can be varied by replacing the storm with another storm or by adding next before storm. The fragile ceasefire may be just the lull before another storm.

See also: before, calm, storm

the ˌcalm/ˌlull before the ˈstorm

(saying) a period of unnatural calm before an attack, violent activity, etc: What the country was experiencing was not peace, but just the calm before another storm.

calm down

1. To become less agitated, active, or unsettled: When the wind calmed down, we went outside to assess the storm's damage.

2. To cause someone or something to become less angry, active, or unsettled: The leader calmed down the angry mob by addressing their complaints. Listening to music before going to bed calms me down and helps me sleep.

See also: calm, down

cool, calm, and collected

mod. cool; unabashed. Albert is almost always cool, calm, and collected.

See also: and, collected

calm before the storm, the

A sense of foreboding, during a particularly serene period, that violence is on its way. “Fair weather brings on cloudy weather” is an ancient Greek proverb. Numerous writers from approximately 1200 on also are recorded as saying that calm will come after a storm. Transferring fair and foul weather to human affairs, particularly to good fortune and adversity, and to peace and war, are also very old. “It is a common fault of men not to reckon on storms in fair weather,” wrote Machiavelli in The Prince (1513). In modern times the phrase frequently has been applied to an uneasy peacetime, when war seemed imminent. It was so used in the late 1930s, when it was already a cliché.