"thief in the night" in Chinese (Simplified)

• 夜里的小偷
• 偷偷摸摸的人

Definition

形容某人或某事像夜里的小偷一样悄无声息地到来、行动或离开，常用来比喻突然的损失或意外的事情。

Usage Notes (Chinese (Simplified))

多用于诗意或正式场合，尤其在宗教、文学、历史语境中，比喻突然和隐秘发生的事。并不指实际的小偷或盗窃行为。

Examples

The disease struck like a thief in the night.

疾病像**夜里的小偷**一样突然来袭。

Loss entered their lives as a thief in the night.

失落如**夜里的小偷**悄然降临他们的生活。

Sometimes, sadness comes like a thief in the night.

有时候，悲伤像**夜里的小偷**悄然而至。

Bad news can hit you like a thief in the night—you never see it coming.

坏消息常常像**夜里的小偷**一样，猝不及防。

He left, just like a thief in the night, without telling anyone.

他像**夜里的小偷**一样，悄无声息地离开了，没有告诉任何人。

Time slips away like a thief in the night if you’re not paying attention.

如果你不留意，时间就像**夜里的小偷**一样溜走了。