lull

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."
See also: lull

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.
See also: lull, sleep

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.
See also: before, lull, storm
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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.
See also: before, lull, storm

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.
See also: lull, sleep
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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.
See also: lull
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

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 lull (or calm) before the storm

a period of unusual tranquillity or stability that seems likely to presage difficult times.
See also: before, lull, storm
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

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
See also:
  • lull into
  • lull (one) into (something)
  • lull (one) into a false sense of security
  • security
  • lull into a false sense of security
  • warn about
  • warn about (someone or something)
  • fall flat
  • play it safe
  • play safe
References in periodicals archive
But, are warm temperatures and hunting pressure the only factors making deer go into an October Lull? Maybe, but it's probably a combination of factors.
Ask Bowhunter[R]
He said the lull in fighting had been extended around Damascus for another 24 hours.
Russia says talks to extend Syrian lull in fighting to Aleppo
Whether it's luck or strategy, if you want to navigate the October lull with success, you must first determine how much of the conventional "wisdom" about deer movement is backed up by tangible evidence.
Navigating the october lull: can anyone prove or disprove the mysterious october vanishing act known as "the lull"?
An unusually lengthy calm had lulled many into thinking that financial engineering by the European Central Bank (ECB) and other authorities had succeeded in bringing a substantial measure of sustainable stability to European markets.
Portugal finds austerity pill too bitter to swallow
Sheedy admits the current lull, when a number of players are also always on youth international duty, could be the quiet before the storm.
Sheedy makes sure youngsters remain focused
The naira weakened for a second day after it was affected by the lull of dollar sales as well as low oil-company sales.
-Nigerian currency drops following slack in dollar sales
The February 2012 export data showed an increase of 7.6% to US dollars 879 Mn in comparison to February 2011, breaking the exports lull in January 2011 and clearly lays any doubts on Sri Lanka export growth, to rest.
'Exports' jump in February '12 shows clearing of Jan's passing cloud' says Rishad
"I think when there's a lull in the game and you don't see him for a while that he needs to work his way back into it a bit more - and get a touch somewhere else.
Darren can be better, says Curbs
Deaf Club : Lull EP (out now) deafclub.bandcamp.com THE NAME Deaf Club has been bandied around for some time, although not a lot has been heard from the group in terms of musical output.
Listen up for the Deaf Club; REVIEW
UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy said Gbagbo's forces had used a lull for peace talks to strengthen their position in the country's main city.
Ivory Coast: Gbagbo forces regain ground in Abidjan
MORTGAGE lending dived to a 10-year low during January as the housing market suffered a lull following the end of the Government's stamp duty holiday, figures showed today.
Mortgage slump; Inbrief
When considering a new flavor offering for your coffee line, one of the most important factors to keep in mind is lull cup drinkability.
Full cup drinkability
"There is a temporary lull in pirate activity off the east coast of Africa due to seasonal winds, but we expect it to be a temporary lull," said William Tobin, an official of the nonprofit organization Shipowners' Protection Ltd.
Aden Gulf-insurance
To describe wind as an energy flow system, it is hereby suggested that the concept of energy lull, hereafter energy lull, be introduced.
The estimation of needed capacity of a storage system according to load and wind parameters
Asking prices fell by 2.2% during the past month as the housing market experienced its traditional summer lull, figures showed today.
Prices slide; BRITAIN TODAY: HOUSING