Idiom
brass monkeys
Meanings
Used in an informal expression to mean extremely cold weather.
Definition
“Brass monkeys” is used in the expression “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey,” meaning extremely cold weather.
“Brass monkeys” most commonly appears in a humorous, informal saying about intense cold. It emphasizes that the temperature feels brutally freezing, not just chilly. The phrase is slangy and can sound crude because it includes a vulgar variation with “balls.” Use it carefully depending on your audience.
Examples
- It was brass monkeys outside this morning, so I wore two layers.
- We canceled the hike because it was brass monkeys on the mountain.
- After sunset it turned brass monkeys, and the car windows frosted over.
- I can’t believe you’re running in brass monkeys weather.
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