the calm before the storm

Related to the calm before the storm: lull before the storm, taking by 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
  • calm before the storm, the
  • 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
In the calm before the storm, this week you could do well to visit Cafe Jazz on Wednesday and Thursday.
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IT was very much the calm before the storm at Shelbourne on Saturday where a fine crowd was treated to some excellent performance in the final meeting before the start of the Derby, writes Michael Fortune.
Sugar Ray's hitting form
The theme from Midnight Cowboy made for an atmospheric opener which turned out to be the calm before the storm.
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The rather sombre refrain of instrumental opener The Passing is literally the calm before the storm as Lamb of God explode into an album of mind-blowing brilliance.
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She said, 'Past trends have shown us that dips in insolvency are often the calm before the storm.'
Drop in the rate of corporate failures
THE calm before the storm at EastEnders as Sharon woke up wearing more make-up than when she went to bed, Tina set to work painting Johnny's windows (with no paint on her brush) and everyone looked forward to salsa night at Scarlet's.
Ian Hyland: Just slap & drivel
At their best, Faithless lace their songs with moments of controlled release, the calm before the storm.
A fabulous set from Faithless
IT'S all quiet on the Western Front as far as the Bags service this week, although it's the calm before the storm with some nice competitions around the corner.
Bags bits and bobs
But the firm warned this could be the calm before the storm: "The effects of increased taxa-tion and restrictions on government spending may mean that some tenants face difficult operating conditions and there is a risk that they will be unable to pay their rents."
Hammerson looks bullish; your money
The mood of the house prompted Sheridan to wonder: "Is this the calm before the storm, do you think?
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Although I do have faith in the board and management at Villa, I can only hope that this is the calm before the storm as there are a lot of clubs out there with money to spend.
Letter: Your Shout - Transfer action is set to hot up
EXPERTS believe we could be experiencing the calm before the storm as far as motorcycle sales are concerned.
Motoring Wales: Motorbike sales warning
But it was merely the calm before the storm as Ultan O'Callaghan set the tone for the rest of the game with a 39th minute try for Con.
RUGBY UNION: CONOR'S TRY SETS UP CONS