Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
close season
noun
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ During the close season in 1974 a dry moat had been constructed and new barriers installed.
▪ During the close season in 1990 the unthinkable happened.
▪ He is one of nine players given winter contracts designed to prevent them seeking employment elsewhere during the close season.
▪ Last close season one of the small drains that I fish ran very clear.
▪ Sheffield-born left-back Beresford came close to becoming a Liverpool player during the close season - until the Anfield side pulled out.
▪ Weekends we're usually booked up in advance, you see, even in the close season.
Wiktionary
close season
alt. 1 (context sport English) The time of year when no competition takes place. 2 (context hunting fishing English) The time of year when hunting or fishing is not permitted. n. 1 (context sport English) The time of year when no competition takes place. 2 (context hunting fishing English) The time of year when hunting or fishing is not permitted.
Usage examples of "close season".
He had hung about idle all the afternoon, cursing the close season that prevented fishing, till he had remembered the motor mower and the spring grass that had been growing up where they had had the lawn the year before.