ENGLISH
REFERENCE

walk in the snow

idiom
Meaning

An occasion when a momentous career decision is made, especially a decision to resign or retire.


Origin

first recorded 20th c.

From a remark by Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Eliott Trudeau (1919-2000) on February 29, 1984, describing how he made his decision to retire.

Examples
SIMPLE

He decided to walk in the snow and retire early.

CONTEXTUAL

After years of pressure, the minister finally took a walk in the snow and announced his resignation.

COMPLEX

Facing a scandal that threatened his legacy, the senator took a long walk in the snow before deciding to step down from office.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    ball and Chalk

    [Cockney slang]walk

  2. 02

    cake walk

    Something extremely easy.

  3. 03

    cock of the walk

    A proud or conceited person.

  4. 04

    in a walk

    Easily; without difficulty.

  5. 05

    learn to walk before one can run

    Before one can perform a complicated task, one has to learn how to perform more simple tasks.

  6. 06

    perp walk

    The intentional public display before news cameras of a person in police custody, especially someone famous or notorious, for the purpose of satisfying public interest, demonstrating the effectiveness of the authorities, or shaming the person.

  7. 07

    snow job

    An attempt to persuade a person using flattery or deception.

  8. 08

    snow on the mountaintop

    Gray or white hair on one's head, especially as an indication of aging.

© 2026 English Reference