calm before the 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.
See also: before, calm, storm
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the calm before the storm

or

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
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

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.
See also: before, calm, lull, storm
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

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.
See also: before, calm
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • calm before the storm, the
  • the calm before the storm
  • the calm/lull before the storm
  • be in the calm before the storm
  • in the calm before the storm
  • lull before the storm
  • the lull before the storm
  • after the party is over
  • cooler heads will prevail
  • calm your tits
References in periodicals archive
Summary: Washington [U.S.A], Oct 9 (ANI): Former CIA Director Leon Panetta has called United States President Donald Trump's comment "calm before the storm" a "play for attention."
Trump's 'calm before the storm' remark, a play for attention: Ex-CIA Director
A reporter also asked Pence for clarification on President Trump's recent "calm before the storm" comment to which the vice president responded, "I would just refer you to the White House on any exposition on that comment."
Angry Puerto Rican confronts Pence
military leaders Thursday night, saying it represents "the calm before the storm'', ABC News reportsThe president made the comments as he and first lady Melania Trump posed for a group photo with his senior military leaders and their spouses in the State Dining Room of the White House."You guys know what this represents?
Trump Describes White House Gathering of Military Leaders as 'Calm Before the Storm'
Geared toward young readers but fast-paced and honest enough to keep young adults engaged, Gratz's insightful novel offers little calm before the storm. Barely on the cusp of adolescence, our protagonists' worlds are already crumbling at their feet.
Refugee
Readers also see the everyday world around Sage that is seemingly unaffected by these demons, creating a calm before the storm. Characters are described in great detail and given depth throughout the story, especially Sage, as he grows throughout his training and trials.
Copling, Steve. Sage Alexander and the Hall of Nightmares, Book 1
Mr Staton added: "Is this simply the calm before the storm? Is pre-Brexit economic turbulence yet to really batter households?
Consumer confidence 'surprisingly stable' despite Brexit
Like the calm before the storm, athletes stripped down to their underwears and once again hit the streets of Subic Bay in the third Century Tuna Superbods: The Underpants Run held Saturday morning.
Underpants Run provide warm up for triathletes
His topics after the Irish Republic gained possession in 1922 include the Civil War, a state of emergency, calm before the storm, and the task of modernization.
Soldiers of the Short Grass: A History of the Curragh Camp
Live speedway Eurosport 2, 6pm IT'S the calm before the storm, a week-long period of meditation and contemplation before the start of the football season, writes Steve Davies.
A veritable smorgasbord of pre-season bets to plan
It is the calm before the storm, warn experts, who have predicted a "colder but drier" winter than usual.
Time for the de-icer... Drivers bitten by first frost of winter
Calm before the storm or just another new and futile hope that things could move forward, Duvnjak wonders.
Parliamentary "striking" summer
(http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/556606/20140623/calm-before-storm-carmelo-anthony-checking-city.htm#.U6eqRI2Sxss) Calm Before the Storm: Carmelo Anthony Checking the City of Chicago
Bye-Bye New York: Carmelo Anthony Will Become a Free Agent
| VIENNA, April 16 (KUNA) -- Governor of Austrian National Bank (OeNB) Ewald Nowotny warned that rating agencies have not lost their influence, and he fears "the calm before the storm".
"Calm before the storm" -- OeNB Governor
The calm before the storm; selected writings of Itamar Singer on the late Bronze Age in Anatolia and the Levant.
The calm before the storm; selected writings of Itamar Singer on the late Bronze Age in Anatolia and the Levant
Alas, it's just the calm before the storm, because when Tyrone stops out to comfort Tommy after his adoptive dad dies, all Kirsty cares about is the meal she's prepared for her boyfriend.
CORONATION STREET