A cold snap
Meaning
A cold snap is a sudden, brief period of very cold weather.
Origin
The term "snap" has a long history in English, dating back to the 16th century, originally conveying a sense of suddenness, speed, or a sharp, quick action—like a branch snapping or a dog snapping its jaws. When applied to weather, "a cold snap" perfectly captures the abrupt and often unwelcome arrival of intensely cold temperatures. It conjures the image of winter's grip suddenly tightening, or a sudden, sharp shift in the atmospheric conditions, much like a quick crack or break from milder weather. This vivid, onomatopoeic quality gave the phrase its enduring power to describe those fleeting, sharp periods of severe cold.
Examples
- We weren't prepared for the cold snap that hit last night, bringing temperatures well below freezing.
- The garden flowers are at risk because a cold snap is predicted for the weekend.