dog days

• Die heißeste und unangenehmste Zeit des Sommers, meist im Juli und August auf der Nordhalbkugel. Der Begriff stammt aus der Antike, als der Aufgang des Sirius (Hundsstern) mit dieser Hitzeperiode zusammenfiel.

The hottest, most uncomfortable period of summer, typically occurring in July and August in the Northern Hemisphere. The term originates from ancient times when the rising of the Dog Star (Sirius) coincided with this hot period.

1. Hottest period of summerB2informal

   The hottest, most uncomfortable part of summer, typically in July and August in the Northern Hemisphere.

   Heißeste Zeit des Sommers

   • During the dog days of August, it's too hot to go outside.
   • We stayed indoors with the air conditioning on during the dog days.
   • The dog days are known for their oppressive heat and humidity.

2. Period of stagnation or inactivityB2informal

   A period of inactivity, laziness, or lack of progress.

   Sauregurkenzeit

   • The company is going through the dog days of summer with very few sales.
   • After the holidays, the office entered the dog days where nothing got done.
   • He felt stuck in the dog days of his career, with no new challenges.