It's brass monkeys outside today.
brass monkeys
idiomVery cold.
Origin
disputed originFrom the phrase cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey - supposedly a reference to the brass container for cannon balls on a British man-of-war (but this seems to have been discredited).
We wanted to go for a walk, but it's brass monkeys out there.
The old fisherman pulled his coat tighter, muttering that it was brass monkeys on the quay at dawn.
- 01
as clever as a cartload of monkeys
Very clever, cunning or mischievous.
- 02
barrel of monkeys
Someone or something very amusing or funny, fun, mischievous, etc.
- 03
bow-legged wi' brass
Wealthy; having lots of money.
- 04
brass ceiling
An unwritten, uncodified barrier to promotion or progression for women in law enforcement or the military.
- 05
brass farthing
Something worthless or of small value.
- 06
brass monkey
Very cold.
- 07
brass neck
Gall, shamelessness, cheek.
- 08
double in brass
To perform two or more tasks within the same project or organization.