dead of night/winter, the

dead of night

The middle of the night. Why are you calling me in the dead of night? Can't this wait till morning? A: "What are you doing walking through the woods in the dead of night?" B: "I could ask you the same question, sir!" Don't worry, if the baby ends up being born in the dead of night, I'll call you first thing in the morning.

See also: dead, night, of

dead of winter

The middle of winter, which is usually especially cold. I find myself dreaming of tropical islands every year in the dead of winter. Yeah, hiking in the dead of winter does not appeal to me in any way. I'd much rather be cozy in front of the fireplace! Why would anyone travel to Alaska in the dead of winter?

See also: dead, of, winter

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

dead of night/winter, the

The time of most intense stillness, darkness, or cold. This usage dates from the sixteenth century. Shakespeare had it in Twelfth Night (1.5), “Even in the dead of night,” and Washington Irving used the alternate phrase in Salmagundi (1807–08), “In the dead of winter, when nature is without charm.”

See also: dead, night, of

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer