Rain, the rhythmic pitter-patter of drops hitting the ground, has inspired countless idioms in the English language.
These expressions add a splash of color to our conversations, helping us describe not just the weather, but also various situations in life.
What is an idiom for rain?
Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. They often carry a figurative or symbolic meaning that might not be evident at first glance.
Let’s dive into the world of idioms for rain and uncover the stories they tell.
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| It’s raining cats and dogs. | Very heavy rain. | I wanted to go out, but it started raining cats and dogs, so I stayed indoors. |
| Rain on someone’s parade. | Spoil someone’s plans or happiness. | Don’t be the one to rain on his parade; let him enjoy his success. |
| Save it for a rainy day. | Save something for a future time of need. | Instead of spending all your money, save some for a rainy day. |
| Every cloud has a silver lining. | In every bad situation, there is something good. | Even though he lost the game, he realized every cloud has a silver lining when he made a new friend. |
| When it rains, it pours. | Bad things tend to happen all at once. | First, I lost my keys, and then my phone died – when it rains, it pours! |
| A real frog-strangler. | A heavy, prolonged rainfall. | Last night’s storm was a real frog-strangler; the streets are flooded. |
| Come rain or shine. | Regardless of the circumstances. | She promised to be there come rain or shine, no matter what. |
| Rain or shine. | Regardless of the weather conditions. | The picnic is happening tomorrow, rain or shine. |
| A storm in a teacup. | A small problem exaggerated out of proportion. | Don’t make a big deal out of it; it’s just a storm in a teacup. |
| Throw caution to the wind. | Take a risk without worrying about the consequences. | Sometimes it’s good to throw caution to the wind and try something new. |
| Make hay while the sun shines. | Take advantage of favorable conditions. | If you have the opportunity, make hay while the sun shines and finish your homework early. |
| It never rains but it pours. | When one bad thing happens, more bad things follow. | First, I failed my test, and then I lost my wallet – it never rains but it pours. |
| It’s a washout. | A complete failure or disappointment. | The party without music turned out to be a washout. |
| In the driest month, never a good hair day. | A humorous way to describe a bad day. | With all the mishaps, today is truly an “in the driest month, never a good hair day.” |
| As right as rain. | In good health or perfectly fine. | After a good night’s sleep, I felt as right as rain. |
| A drop in the ocean. | A very small amount compared to what is needed. | Donating a dollar to charity is a good gesture, but it’s just a drop in the ocean. |
| A tempest in a teapot. | A small, insignificant disturbance. | Don’t worry; it’s just a tempest in a teapot; things will settle down soon. |
| A storm is brewing. | A difficult situation is about to happen. | With tensions rising, it feels like a storm is brewing in the classroom. |
| A ray of sunshine. | Someone or something that brings happiness or hope. | Her kind words were like a ray of sunshine on a gloomy day. |
| Under the weather. | Feeling sick or unwell. | I won’t be at school today; I’m a bit under the weather. |
| Raincheck. | Postponing a plan or invitation for another time. | Can we take a raincheck on the movie night? I have too much homework. |
| Rainy day fund. | Money saved for future emergencies. | It’s wise to have a rainy day fund for unexpected expenses. |
| A breath of fresh air. | Something new and refreshing. | The new student in class is like a breath of fresh air; things are more exciting now. |
| Raining buckets. | Raining very heavily. | We had to cancel the game; it was raining buckets outside. |
| Head in the clouds. | Someone who is daydreaming or not paying attention. | Stop having your head in the clouds and focus on the task at hand. |
| Stormy weather. | A period of difficulties or troubles. | We’ve been going through some stormy weather lately, but things will get better. |
| Take the wind out of someone’s sails. | To deflate or undermine someone’s confidence. | Her criticism really took the wind out of his sails; he was upset all day. |
Metaphors can depict rain in various ways, like comparing it to a soothing lullaby sung by nature. To explore more metaphors for rain, you can visit this link: Metaphors for Rain. Similarly, similes offer comparisons that make rain more relatable, such as saying it’s as gentle as a mother’s touch. Discover additional similes for rain here: Similes for Rain.
Idioms for Rain
1. It’s raining cats and dogs.
Meaning: It’s raining very heavily.
In a Sentence: I wanted to go out, but it started raining cats and dogs, so I stayed indoors.
2. Rain on someone’s parade.
Meaning: To spoil someone’s plans or happiness.
In a Sentence: Don’t be the one to rain on his parade; let him enjoy his success.
3. Save it for a rainy day.
Meaning: Save something for a future time of need.
In a Sentence: Instead of spending all your money, save some for a rainy day.
4. Every cloud has a silver lining.
Meaning: In every bad situation, there is something good.
In a Sentence: Even though he lost the game, he realized every cloud has a silver lining when he made a new friend.
5. When it rains, it pours.
Meaning: Bad things tend to happen all at once.
In a Sentence: First, I lost my keys, and then my phone died – when it rains, it pours!
6. A real frog-strangler.
Meaning: A heavy, prolonged rainfall.
In a Sentence: Last night’s storm was a real frog-strangler; the streets are flooded.
7. Come rain or shine.
Meaning: Regardless of the circumstances.
In a Sentence: She promised to be there come rain or shine, no matter what.
8. Rain or shine.
Meaning: Regardless of the weather conditions.
In a Sentence: The picnic is happening tomorrow, rain or shine.
9. A storm in a teacup.
Meaning: A small problem exaggerated out of proportion.
In a Sentence: Don’t make a big deal out of it; it’s just a storm in a teacup.
10. Throw caution to the wind.
Meaning: Take a risk without worrying about the consequences.
In a Sentence: Sometimes it’s good to throw caution to the wind and try something new.
11. Make hay while the sun shines.
Meaning: Take advantage of favorable conditions.
In a Sentence: If you have the opportunity, make hay while the sun shines and finish your homework early.
12. It never rains but it pours.
Meaning: When one bad thing happens, more bad things follow.
In a Sentence: First, I failed my test, and then I lost my wallet – it never rains but it pours.
13. It’s a washout.
Meaning: A complete failure or disappointment.
In a Sentence: The party without music turned out to be a washout.
14. In the driest month, never a good hair day.
Meaning: A humorous way to describe a bad day.
In a Sentence: With all the mishaps, today is truly an “in the driest month, never a good hair day.”
15. As right as rain.
Meaning: In good health or perfectly fine.
In a Sentence: After a good night’s sleep, I felt as right as rain.
16. A drop in the ocean.
Meaning: A very small amount compared to what is needed.
In a Sentence: Donating a dollar to charity is a good gesture, but it’s just a drop in the ocean.
17. A tempest in a teapot.
Meaning: A small, insignificant disturbance.
In a Sentence: Don’t worry; it’s just a tempest in a teapot; things will settle down soon.
18. A storm is brewing.
Meaning: A difficult situation is about to happen.
In a Sentence: With tensions rising, it feels like a storm is brewing in the classroom.
19. A ray of sunshine.
Meaning: Someone or something that brings happiness or hope.
In a Sentence: Her kind words were like a ray of sunshine on a gloomy day.
20. Under the weather.
Meaning: Feeling sick or unwell.
In a Sentence: I won’t be at school today; I’m a bit under the weather.
21. Raincheck.
Meaning: Postponing a plan or invitation for another time.
In a Sentence: Can we take a raincheck on the movie night? I have too much homework.
22. Rainy day fund.
Meaning: Money saved for future emergencies.
In a Sentence: It’s wise to have a rainy day fund for unexpected expenses.
23. A breath of fresh air.
Meaning: Something new and refreshing.
In a Sentence: The new student in class is like a breath of fresh air; things are more exciting now.
24. Raining buckets.
Meaning: Raining very heavily.
In a Sentence: We had to cancel the game; it was raining buckets outside.
25. Head in the clouds.
Meaning: Someone who is daydreaming or not paying attention.
In a Sentence: Stop having your head in the clouds and focus on the task at hand.
26. Stormy weather.
Meaning: A period of difficulties or troubles.
In a Sentence: We’ve been going through some stormy weather lately, but things will get better.
27. Take the wind out of someone’s sails.
Meaning: To deflate or undermine someone’s confidence.
In a Sentence: Her criticism really took the wind out of his sails; he was upset all day.
10 Quizzes About The Idiom in The Article
Quiz 1: What’s the Idiom?
- What does the idiom “It’s raining cats and dogs” mean?
- A. It’s a sunny day.
- B. It’s raining very heavily.
- C. It’s a metaphor for happiness.
- Which idiom implies spoiling someone’s plans or happiness?
- A. Rain on someone’s parade.
- B. Every cloud has a silver lining.
- C. When it rains, it pours.
- If someone tells you to “save it for a rainy day,” what are they advising you to do?
- A. Spend all your money immediately.
- B. Save something for a future time of need.
- C. Ignore the weather forecast.
Quiz 2: Finish the Sentence!
- “Throw caution to the wind” means to _____.
- A. Be cautious.
- B. Take a risk without worrying about the consequences.
- C. Follow the rules strictly.
- “A storm is brewing” suggests that _____.
- A. The weather is pleasant.
- B. A difficult situation is about to happen.
- C. It’s a calm day.
Quiz 3: True or False
- True or False: “Rain or shine” means only when it’s raining.
- True or False: “A tempest in a teapot” refers to a significant problem.
Quiz 4: Idioms in Action
- Use the idiom “A real frog-strangler” in a sentence.
- Apply the expression “Come rain or shine” to describe someone’s commitment.
Quiz 5: Matching Challenge
Match the idiom with its correct meaning.
- Match the idiom “Under the weather” with its meaning:
- A. Feeling sick or unwell.
- B. Raining very heavily.
- C. A period of difficulties or troubles.
Answers:
- B
- A
- B
- B
- B
- False
- False
- (Example: Last night’s storm was a real frog-strangler; the streets are flooded.)
- (Example: She promised to be there come rain or shine, no matter what.)
- A – Feeling sick or unwell.
Conclusion
Rain idioms offer a fascinating peek into the richness of the English language. They allow us to express ourselves in colorful ways, adding a sprinkle of creativity to our conversations.
