【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】 .