表达 “the calm before the storm（暴风雨前的平静）” 指 “在苦难或冲突发生前的一段平静、稳定的时期”。这段平静的时期可能会异常安静，因此其它时期会更引人注目或给人不详之感。这个表达中的名词 “calm” 可以用 “lull” 代替，意思不变，即 “the lull before the storm”。

例句

The mall is quiet at the moment, but sales start next week so this is probably just the calm before the storm.

百货商场现在没什么人，但减价活动下周就要开始了，所以这可能只是暴风雨前的平静。

My friend Roman is a school teacher and he always says that the week before term starts is the most productive time to be at school. He can prepare his lessons and enjoy the calm before the storm!

我的朋友罗曼是一名教师，他总是说开学前一周是在学校工作最有效率的时间。他可以备课，享受暴风雨前的平静！

Having all of our relatives over for Christmas is always chaotic, so I try to be extremely organised and give myself time to relax before the guests arrive. That way, I can enjoy the lull before the storm.

请我们所有的亲戚到家里过圣诞节总是很混乱，所以我尽量提前做好准备工作，在客人来之前给自己一点放松的时间。这样，我就可以享受暴风雨前的平静了。