in the dead of night

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the dead of night" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to a time late at night when it is very still and quiet. For example, "The robbers snuck into the bank in the dead of night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From flashlights trained across a dark swamp in the dead of night.

The New Yorker

Some come in the dead of night.

The New York Times - Sports

The bulldozers arrive in the dead of night.

The New York Times

Telephones have stopped ringing regularly in the dead of night.

The New York Times

6. Read poems out loud in the dead of night.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mistake 3. In the dead of night, nobody would see.

The New York Times

Not so handy in the dead of night, mind you.

The Guardian

In the dead of night, Entebbe came into view.

The Guardian

"Why is this being done in the dead of night.

The New Yorker

December 2014 Gunmen roused sleeping quarry workers in the dead of night in northern Kenya.

Independent

In the dead of night some women unearth a cache of buried weapons and hide it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the dead of night" to create a sense of mystery or secrecy around an event. For example, "The package arrived "in the dead of night", leaving no trace of who delivered it."

Common error

Avoid using "in the dead of night" literally when simply referring to something happening late at night without the implication of secrecy or something being hidden. Instead, just state the time, for example: "The meeting concluded late at night."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the dead of night" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify when an action occurs. Ludwig examples show it often describes clandestine or unexpected events. As supported by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the dead of night" functions as an adverbial phrase, typically employed to describe events happening late at night under secretive or mysterious circumstances. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, predominantly used in News & Media contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for scenarios where emphasizing secrecy or unusual timing is desired. Alternatives like "late at night" or "under the cover of darkness" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the still of the night

Emphasizes the quietness and stillness of the night.

under the cover of darkness

Highlights the concealing aspect of the night.

under the cloak of night

Similar to "under the cover of darkness", but more poetic.

late at night

Focuses on the time, without necessarily implying secrecy or darkness.

in the wee hours

Implies the very early hours of the morning.

in the darkness

A more general term referring to being in a dark setting, often implying secrecy.

after midnight

Simply states that it occurred after 12 AM.

at a late hour

Emphasizes that something happened very late.

when night has fallen

A more literary phrase indicating the arrival of night.

during the witching hour

References the time of night associated with supernatural events.

FAQs

How can I use "in the dead of night" in a sentence?

Use "in the dead of night" to describe an action or event that occurs late at night, often with connotations of secrecy, stealth, or mystery. For example, "In the dead of night, the thief scaled the walls of the castle."

What phrases are similar to "in the dead of night"?

Alternatives include "late at night", "under the cover of darkness", or "in the still of the night". Each conveys a slightly different nuance of darkness, quiet, or secrecy.

Is it ever incorrect to use "in the dead of night"?

While grammatically correct, using "in the dead of night" might be unsuitable if the context doesn't imply any sense of secrecy, stealth, or unusualness. A simple time reference like "late at night" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "in the dead of night" and "at night"?

"At night" is a general time reference, while "in the dead of night" suggests a specific time late at night when most people are asleep, often implying secrecy or something unusual happening.