Winter Idioms in English

A snowball's chance in hell

Never; impossible something will succeed; no chance at all.

e.g. If she doesn’t work hard and improve her grades, she’s got a snowball’s chance in hell of being admitted to university.

In the dead of winter

The coldest, darkest part of winter; in the middle of winter, when the days are short, dark and cold.

e.g. Even in the dead of winter there are many wonderful outdoor activities to do in Russia.

To be skating on thin ice

To be in a risky position or situation.

e.g. You’re already skating on thin ice. If you’re late to work one more time, you’ll be fired!

To be as pure as the driven snow

To be innocent and chaste (frequently used ironically).

e.g. I never thought she was as pure as the driven snow, but what she reveals in her book is crazy!

To put (something) on ice

To stop working on a plan or idea.

e.g. Due to ongoing protests, the company is going to put the project on ice until the controversy subsides.

To be snowed under

To be overwhelmed with work or responsibilities.

e.g. I'm sorry I can't go to the party tonight; I'm snowed under at work.

To get cold feet

To lose courage; to suddenly become too nervous to do something or go through with something (e.g. getting married).

e.g. Sarah got cold feet at the very last moment before the wedding ceremony and left her fiancée standing at the altar all alone.