- A phrase warning that a period of hardship, difficulty, danger, or general adversity is approaching. It serves as a call to be prepared.
Explanation
Origin
- The house motto of House Stark in George R.R. Martin's fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire and its hugely popular HBO adaptation, Game of Thrones.
- In the series, it refers literally to the onset of long, harsh winters, but metaphorically signifies impending war, death, political turmoil, and supernatural threats.
- It has entered popular culture as a widely understood harbinger of difficult times.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Shit's about to get real. (Vulgar)
- Here comes trouble.
- Heads up, gonna get rough.
- Brace yourselves. (Often used online, sometimes referencing GoT)
More Formal:
- Adversity is anticipated.
- We must prepare for challenging circumstances.
- Difficulties lie ahead.
Situational Appropriateness
- Best used informally or semi-formally, especially among people likely to understand the Game of Thrones reference.
- Can sound overly dramatic or confusing in formal settings or with audiences unfamiliar with the show. Using it literally for weather is fine, but the cultural connotation is very strong.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Someone unfamiliar with Game of Thrones might only grasp the literal meaning (cold weather is coming) and miss the intended metaphorical warning about general hardship, danger, or adversity.
Examples
- (Looking at falling stock market prices) Looks like the recession is really hitting now. Winter is coming.
- The final exam schedule is brutal this year. Winter is coming, my friends. Better start studying.
- (As the days get colder and shorter) Definitely feeling that autumn chill. Winter is coming! (Literal, but often with the ominous GoT undertone)
Dialogue
Team Lead: Okay everyone, the deadline for the project has been moved up by two weeks, and funding for phase two is uncertain.
Team Member 1: Wow, that's tough news.
Team Member 2: (Quietly) Winter is coming.
Team Lead: It means we need to focus and prioritize effectively starting immediately.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet about impending economic changes: Reading the latest financial forecasts... definitely feels like Winter is coming. Time to tighten the belts. #economy #recession
- Post about upcoming busy season at work: Peak season starts next week. To my fellow retail workers: Winter is coming. May your coffee be strong. ☕ #retailproblems #worklife
- Meme: Picture of Ned Stark with the caption applied to a current event signaling hardship.
Response Patterns
- Agreement/Acknowledgement: I know. / Yeah, we'd better prepare. / Tell me about it.
- Inquiry (if context unclear): What makes you say that? / What kind of winter?
- Resignation/Dark Humor: Great... / Just what we needed. / Brace yourselves. (Another GoT related phrase often used in response or conjunction).
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- After hearing it: Listeners understand a warning is being given and might discuss the nature of the difficulty or how to prepare (What should we do to get ready?).
- After saying it: The speaker might elaborate on the signs or the expected hardship (Layoffs seem likely given the quarterly report.).
Conversation Starter
- No. It's a warning or observation based on current signs or information.
Intonation
- Often delivered with a serious, grave, or ominous tone, reflecting its use in the show. Can also be used with weary resignation.
- Emphasis usually on Winter.
- WINTER is coming.
Generation Differences
- Highly recognizable among Millennials and Gen Z who engaged with Game of Thrones or its related memes. Less likely to be recognized or used by older generations unfamiliar with the series.
Regional Variations
- Globally recognized due to the worldwide popularity of Game of Thrones.