Crossword Genius

Sudden chill: mild illnesses need sleep (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cold snap

'sudden chill' is the definition.
(sudden drop in temperature)

'mild illnesses need sleep' is the wordplay.
'mild illnesses' becomes 'colds' (a cold is typically a minor illness).
'need' says to put letters next to each other.
'sleep' becomes 'nap' (synonyms).
'colds'+'nap'='COLD SNAP'

(Other definitions for cold snap that I've seen before include "Period of icy weather" , "Sudden short spell of bitter weather" , "Frosty spell" , "when snow may fall?" , "sudden brief spell of icy weather" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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