lull (one) into (something)

To cause one to fail to be aware of the risks, dangers, or true reality of a situation. Installing cameras at home lulled me into a false sense of security—our house still ended up getting robbed. A: "I can't believe you were able to unseat the valedictorian!" B: "I think three years of accolades lulled her into complacency."

lull (one) into a false sense of security

To cause one to feel safe and secure in a situation that poses risks or dangers. Installing cameras at home lulled me into a false sense of security—our house still ended up getting robbed. A: "I can't believe you were able to unseat the valedictorian!" B: "I think three years of accolades lulled her into a false sense of security."

See also: false, lull, of, security, sense

lull (one) to sleep

To cause one to become so relaxed that one drifts gently and peacefully to sleep. The professor's calm, melodic voice keeps lulling me to sleep. The only thing that can lull my baby to sleep is being in the car while the motor is running.

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.

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.

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.

lull someone into a false sense of security

Cliché to lead someone into believing that all is well before attacking or doing someone bad. We lulled the enemy into a false sense of security by pretending to retreat. Then we launched an attack. The boss lulled us into a false sense of security by saying that our jobs were safe and then let half the staff go.

See also: false, lull, of, security, sense

lull (someone or an animal) to sleep

to quiet and comfort someone or an animal to sleep. The sound of the waves lulled me to sleep. The dog's heartbeat lulled her puppies to sleep.

lull into

Deceive into trustfulness, as in The steadily rising market lulled investors into a false sense of security. The earliest recorded version of this term referred to wine: "Fitter indeed to bring and lull men asleep in the bed of security" (Philemon Holland, Pliny's Historie of the World, 1601. Today it still often appears with the phrase a false sense of security.

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.

the lull (or calm) before the storm

a period of unusual tranquillity or stability that seems likely to presage difficult times.

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.