Weather, being an integral part of our lives, has its own set of idioms that we use to describe various situations and emotions.
In this article, we’ll explore some common idioms related to weather, their meanings, and how to use them in sentences.
What is an idiom for weather?
An idiom for weather is a phrase or expression that uses weather-related words to convey a different meaning.
These idioms are often used metaphorically to describe various situations or emotions. Let’s dive into the list of idioms for weather and uncover their meanings.
Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
Under the weather | Feeling unwell or sick. | I can’t go to the party tonight; I’m feeling under the weather. |
Weather the storm | To endure a difficult situation or face challenges bravely. | Despite the setbacks, our team managed to weather the storm and come out stronger. |
Weather the elements | To endure harsh weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or extreme heat. | The hiker was well-prepared and successfully weathered the elements during his mountain expedition. |
Break the ice | To ease tension or initiate a conversation in a social setting. | John’s sense of humor helped break the ice at the awkward family gathering. |
It’s raining cats and dogs | To describe heavy rainfall. | We had to cancel our picnic because it started raining cats and dogs. |
Every cloud has a silver lining | To find something positive in a difficult or challenging situation. | Losing my job was tough, but it led me to discover a new career opportunity; every cloud has a silver lining. |
Rain on someone’s parade | To spoil or ruin someone’s plans or happiness. | Jane didn’t mean to rain on your parade; she was just sharing her concerns. |
Save for a rainy day | To set aside money or resources for future emergencies or difficult times. | It’s essential to save for a rainy day to ensure financial stability. |
Come rain or shine | Regardless of the weather conditions or circumstances. | The dedicated postal worker delivers mail come rain or shine. |
A storm in a teacup | An overreaction to a minor issue, making it seem more significant than it is. | The argument over the missing pen turned into a storm in a teacup, with everyone getting upset unnecessarily. |
Fair-weather friend | Someone who is only supportive or friendly when things are going well. | Sarah realized that her so-called friend was just a fair-weather friend when she needed help during tough times. |
A ray of sunshine | Someone or something that brings joy and positivity into one’s life. | After a long and tiring day, seeing my kids’ smiling faces was like a ray of sunshine. |
Throw caution to the wind | To take a risk without worrying about the consequences. | Mark decided to throw caution to the wind and follow his dream of becoming an artist. |
Red sky at night, sailor’s delight | A red sky at night suggests good weather and a calm sea the next day. | “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight,” the old captain said as he prepared for a peaceful voyage. |
Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning | A red sky in the morning indicates potential bad weather and rough seas. | “Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning,” the crew muttered as they saw the sunrise on the horizon. |
In the eye of the storm | In the calm center of a chaotic situation or conflict. | Despite the chaos around her, Maria remained calm and focused, like she was in the eye of the storm. |
A breath of fresh air | Something new and refreshing that revitalizes a situation or environment. | The new manager brought a breath of fresh air to the company with her innovative ideas. |
Snowball effect | A situation where a small event or action leads to a series of increasingly significant consequences. | The delay in the project had a snowball effect, causing a cascade of problems throughout the company. |
Lightning in a bottle | Capturing something rare and extraordinary. | Winning the championship felt like capturing lightning in a bottle; it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. |
As cold as ice | Describing someone who is emotionally distant or unfeeling. | Even though he seemed friendly on the outside, deep down, he was as cold as ice. |
Weathered the test of time | To have survived and remained strong through many years or challenges. | Their enduring love had weathered the test of time, lasting for decades. |
On cloud nine | To be extremely happy or joyful. | After receiving the scholarship, Sarah felt like she was on cloud nine for days. |
On thin ice | In a risky or precarious situation where one mistake could have severe consequences. | After failing the first two exams, John knew he was on thin ice with his professor. |
Snowed under | Overwhelmed with work or responsibilities. | With exams, projects, and a part-time job, I’m completely snowed under this semester. |
In the hot seat | Being in a position where one is under scrutiny or facing intense pressure. | The CEO was in the hot seat as the board reviewed the company’s financial performance. |
To explore more metaphors for weather, you can visit this link: Metaphors for Weather. Similarly, similes offer comparisons that make weather more relatable, such as saying it’s as unpredictable as a roll of the dice. Discover additional similes for weather here: Similes for Weather.
Idioms for Weather
1. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling unwell or sick.
In a Sentence: I can’t go to the party tonight; I’m feeling a bit under the weather.
2. Weather the storm
Meaning: To endure a difficult situation or face challenges bravely.
In a Sentence: Despite the setbacks, our team managed to weather the storm and come out stronger.
3. Weather the elements
Meaning: To endure harsh weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or extreme heat.
In a Sentence: The hiker was well-prepared and successfully weathered the elements during his mountain expedition.
4. Break the ice
Meaning: To ease tension or initiate a conversation in a social setting.
In a Sentence: John’s sense of humor helped break the ice at the awkward family gathering.
5. It’s raining cats and dogs
Meaning: To describe heavy rainfall.
In a Sentence: We had to cancel our picnic because it started raining cats and dogs.
6. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: To find something positive in a difficult or challenging situation.
In a Sentence: Losing my job was tough, but it led me to discover a new career opportunity; every cloud has a silver lining.
7. Rain on someone’s parade
Meaning: To spoil or ruin someone’s plans or happiness.
In a Sentence: Jane didn’t mean to rain on your parade; she was just sharing her concerns.
8. Save for a rainy day
Meaning: To set aside money or resources for future emergencies or difficult times.
In a Sentence: It’s essential to save for a rainy day to ensure financial stability.
9. Come rain or shine
Meaning: Regardless of the weather conditions or circumstances.
In a Sentence: The dedicated postal worker delivers mail come rain or shine.
10. A storm in a teacup
Meaning: An overreaction to a minor issue, making it seem more significant than it is.
In a Sentence: The argument over the missing pen turned into a storm in a teacup, with everyone getting upset unnecessarily.
11. Fair-weather friend
Meaning: Someone who is only supportive or friendly when things are going well.
In a Sentence: Sarah realized that her so-called friend was just a fair-weather friend when she needed help during tough times.
12. A ray of sunshine
Meaning: Someone or something that brings joy and positivity into one’s life.
In a Sentence: After a long and tiring day, seeing my kids’ smiling faces was like a ray of sunshine.
13. Throw caution to the wind
Meaning: To take a risk without worrying about the consequences.
In a Sentence: Mark decided to throw caution to the wind and follow his dream of becoming an artist.
14. Red sky at night, sailor’s delight
Meaning: A red sky at night suggests good weather and a calm sea the next day.
In a Sentence: “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight,” the old captain said as he prepared for a peaceful voyage.
15. Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning
Meaning: A red sky in the morning indicates potential bad weather and rough seas.
In a Sentence: “Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning,” the crew muttered as they saw the sunrise on the horizon.
16. In the eye of the storm
Meaning: In the calm center of a chaotic situation or conflict.
In a Sentence: Despite the chaos around her, Maria remained calm and focused, like she was in the eye of the storm.
17. A breath of fresh air
Meaning: Something new and refreshing that revitalizes a situation or environment.
In a Sentence: The new manager brought a breath of fresh air to the company with her innovative ideas.
18. Snowball effect
Meaning: A situation where a small event or action leads to a series of increasingly significant consequences.
In a Sentence: The delay in the project had a snowball effect, causing a cascade of problems throughout the company.
19. Lightning in a bottle
Meaning: Capturing something rare and extraordinary.
In a Sentence: Winning the championship felt like capturing lightning in a bottle; it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
20. As cold as ice
Meaning: Describing someone who is emotionally distant or unfeeling.
In a Sentence: Even though he seemed friendly on the outside, deep down, he was as cold as ice.
21. Weathered the test of time
Meaning: To have survived and remained strong through many years or challenges.
In a Sentence: Their enduring love had weathered the test of time, lasting for decades.
22. On cloud nine
Meaning: To be extremely happy or joyful.
In a Sentence: After receiving the scholarship, Sarah felt like she was on cloud nine for days.
23. On thin ice
Meaning: In a risky or precarious situation where one mistake could have severe consequences.
In a Sentence: After failing the first two exams, John knew he was on thin ice with his professor.
24. Snowed under
Meaning: Overwhelmed with work or responsibilities.
In a Sentence: With exams, projects, and part-time job, I’m completely snowed under this semester.
25. In the hot seat
Meaning: Being in a position where one is under scrutiny or facing intense pressure.
In a Sentence: The CEO was in the hot seat as the board reviewed the company’s financial performance.
10 Quizzes About The Idiom in The Article
Quiz 1: Under the Weather
- What does the idiom “under the weather” mean?
a) Feeling unwell or sick.
b) Enjoying sunny weather.
c) Planning a picnic.
d) Happy and carefree.
Quiz 2: Weather the Storm
- When someone “weathers the storm,” what are they doing?
a) Predicting the weather.
b) Enduring a difficult situation.
c) Enjoying a calm day.
d) Avoiding challenges.
Quiz 3: Break the Ice
- What does it mean to “break the ice” in a social setting?
a) Create tension.
b) Ruin a conversation.
c) Initiate a conversation and ease tension.
d) Ignore everyone.
Quiz 4: Red Sky at Night, Sailor’s Delight
- What does a “red sky at night” traditionally suggest to sailors?
a) Bad weather the next day.
b) Good weather the next day.
c) Stormy seas at night.
d) Calm seas at night.
Quiz 5: Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
- What does the idiom “every cloud has a silver lining” mean?
a) Every cloud contains silver.
b) Finding something positive in a challenging situation.
c) Clouds always bring bad luck.
d) Clouds have hidden treasures.
Quiz 6: Snowball Effect
- What happens in a situation described as a “snowball effect”?
a) A snowstorm occurs.
b) A minor event leads to a series of significant consequences.
c) A snowball fight starts.
d) A snowball turns into an avalanche.
Quiz 7: In the Eye of the Storm
- What does it mean to be “in the eye of the storm” in a chaotic situation?
a) You are causing the chaos.
b) You are unaffected by the chaos.
c) You are responsible for the storm.
d) You are trapped in the storm.
Quiz 8: Fair-Weather Friend
- What type of person is described as a “fair-weather friend”?
a) Someone who only supports you during good times.
b) A friend who loves outdoor activities.
c) A loyal and supportive friend.
d) Someone who hates bad weather.
Quiz 9: As Cold as Ice
- What does it mean when someone is described as “as cold as ice”?
a) They love cold weather.
b) They are emotionally distant or unfeeling.
c) They are very friendly and warm.
d) They have a cold personality.
Quiz 10: On Thin Ice
- In what kind of situation are you when you are “on thin ice”?
a) When you’re skating on a frozen lake.
b) When you’re enjoying a winter vacation.
c) When you’re in a risky or precarious situation.
d) When you’re feeling cold.
Answers:
- a) Feeling unwell or sick.
- b) Enduring a difficult situation.
- c) Initiate a conversation and ease tension.
- b) Good weather the next day.
- b) Finding something positive in a challenging situation.
- b) A minor event leads to a series of significant consequences.
- b) You are unaffected by the chaos.
- a) Someone who only supports you during good times.
- b) They are emotionally distant or unfeeling.
- c) When you’re in a risky or precarious situation.
Conclusion
Weather idioms add color and depth to our language, allowing us to express various feelings, situations, and experiences in a creative way.