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midsummer madness

American  

noun

  1. a temporary lapse into foolishness, senseless behavior, folly, etc., especially during the summer.

    His plan to become a beachcomber is midsummer madness.


midsummer madness British  

noun

  1. foolish or extravagant behaviour, supposed to occur during the summer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of midsummer madness

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And if the worst comes to the worst, you can always pass it off as midsummer madness.

From The Guardian • Jul. 10, 2015

Referring directly to Lord Cecil's appeal, Chancellor Chamberlain declared, "That is very midsummer madness!"

From Time Magazine Archive

The full force of the midsummer madness struck Western Europe last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

Even these figures give but an imperfect notion of the extent of the midsummer madness.

From The Age of the Reformation by Smith, Preserved

"But this is midsummer madness," said I. "Suppose it is, what matter?"

From Jaffery by Locke, William John