Dog days of summer

The phrase "dog days of summer" refers to the hottest and most oppressive period of summer, typically occurring in July and early August in the Northern Hemisphere. It originated from the ancient belief that the hot, sultry weather during this time was influenced by the rise of the star Sirius, also known as the "Dog Star," in the constellation Canis Major. The phrase is often used to describe a period of sluggishness, inactivity, or intense heat.