thief in the night
English
editEtymology
editA calque from Ancient Greek κλέπτης ἐν νυκτί (kléptēs en nuktí).
Pronunciation
edit- IPA(key): /θiːf ɪn ðə naɪt/
Audio (General Australian): (file)
Noun
editthief in the night (plural thieves in the night)
- Something stealthy or that occurs without warning.
- 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Thessalonians 5:2:
- For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
Usage notes
edit- Mostly used in similes, after like.