It's brass monkey outside today.
brass monkey
idiomVery cold.
Origin
first recorded 19th c. disputed originFrom the phrase cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. According to the U.S. Naval Historical Center, which cites the Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, 'the first recorded use of the term "brass monkey" appears to dates^([sic]) to 1857 when it was used in an apparently vulgar context by C.A. Abbey in his book Before the Mast in the Clippers, where on page 108 it says "It would freeze the tail off a brass monkey."' A number of false etymologies have been suggested. For more information, see brass monkey on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
We wanted to go for a walk, but it was brass monkey, so we stayed in.
The wind howled through the empty streets, and by midnight it was brass monkey, forcing even the stray cats to seek shelter.
- 01
bow-legged wi' brass
Wealthy; having lots of money.
- 02
brass ceiling
An unwritten, uncodified barrier to promotion or progression for women in law enforcement or the military.
- 03
brass farthing
Something worthless or of small value.
- 04
brass monkeys
Very cold.
- 05
brass neck
Gall, shamelessness, cheek.
- 06
cheeky monkey
An impudent person, usually a child.
- 07
double in brass
To perform two or more tasks within the same project or organization.
- 08
get down to brass tacks
To (start to) consider or deal with the most important details or facts about something.