thief in the night en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /θiːf ɪn ðə naɪt/
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
A calque from Ancient Greek κλέπτης ἐν νυκτί (kléptēs en nuktí).
Meanings
-
Something stealthy or that occurs without warning.
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Thessalonians 5:2:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| thieves in the night | Number=Plur | lexicographic |