Thief in the night Meaning in English
expression
Definition
Someone or something that arrives, acts, or leaves secretly and unexpectedly, like a thief coming at night. Often used to describe unexpected loss or sudden events.
Usage & Nuances
This is a figurative, somewhat literary or poetic expression, often used in formal or reflective speech. Common in religious, historical, and serious contexts. It implies total surprise and secrecy, not physical theft. Related to the Biblical phrase "come like a thief in the night."
Example Sentences
The disease struck like a thief in the night.
basic
Loss entered their lives as a thief in the night.
basic
Sometimes, sadness comes like a thief in the night.
basic
Bad news can hit you like a thief in the night—you never see it coming.
natural
He left, just like a thief in the night, without telling anyone.
natural
Time slips away like a thief in the night if you’re not paying attention.
natural