cold spell

From cold +‎ spell (“period of time”).

cold spell (plural cold spells)

1. (weather) A short period during which temperatures are much lower than usual.

   Synonyms: cold wave, cold snap

   Antonym: heatwave

   • 1962 April, “Talking of Trains: Disappointing statistics”, in Modern Railways, page 220:

     The only factors in the first four weeks of this year which, apart from greater commercial effort, might have been expected to influence B.R. receipts were the cold spell and the Post Office "go slow".

2. (figuratively) A period of poor performance.

   Coordinate term: dry spell

   • 2018 October 20, Ed Odeven, “Northern Happinets earn dramatic victory over Rizing Zephyr”, in The Japan Times‎:

     The Rizing Zephyr took a 71-70 lead on a Shota Tsuyama free throw (he missed the first attempt) with 1:42 to play, which was followed by a cold spell by both offenses before Coleby got in position to put his stamp on the final outcome.

   • 2020 August 25, Patrick Saunders, “Rockies’ Daniel Bard says 2020 stuff is comparable to his 2010 season with Red Sox”, in The Denver Post‎:

     Utility player Garrett Hampson, who was one of the Rockies’ most consistent players early in the season, has hit a cold spell. He snapped an 0-for-16 hitless streak with a single in the seventh inning Sunday but had just one hit in his last 20 at-bats entering Tuesday night’s game.

• “cold spell” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman.
• “cold spell” (US) / “cold spell” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary.