the dark ages
noun [ plural ] uk/ˈdɑːk ˌeɪ.dʒɪz/ us/ˈdɑːrk ˌeɪ.dʒɪz/
the Dark Ages （欧洲历史上的）黑暗时代
the period in European history from the end of the Roman Empire in AD 476 to about AD 1000
disapproving落后封闭的历史时期
a time in the past considered to be not advanced and when people were unwilling to accept the beliefs or opinions of others
This repressive law takes gay rights back to the dark ages. 这部高压法律使同性恋者享有的权利又退回到了那些落后封闭的年代。