# walk in the snow

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/walk-in-the-snow
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- He decided to walk in the snow and retire early.
- After years of pressure, the minister finally took a walk in the snow and announced his resignation.
- Facing a scandal that threatened his legacy, the senator took a long walk in the snow before deciding to step down from office.

## Origin

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

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.