in extremes—
1. is used of extreme magnitudes or conditions:
- In extremes, there are micro-skirts, which barely cover the buttocks; minis, maxis and the nineteen-thirties length.
2. in critical circumstances:
- There’s no saying what any man may do in extremes.
Note:
a) The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase in the extreme—(used in postposition) to the highest degree; to the utmost:
- I always thought the suggestion dangerous in the extreme.
b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase to extremes—to excess; out of all proportion:
- Surely we can have clean air and water without carrying any policy to extremes?
in extremis —(Latin)
1. (dated) at the point of death:
- The Master of the Rolls … tumbled out of his chair last Sunday at church, and is, they say, in extremis.
2. (formal) in very great difficulties:
- To use this refuge for ordinary mountaineering is an abuse; it is only intended and equipped for special parties in extremis.