Rain is a big part of everyday life in the USA. It helps plants grow, cools down hot days, and sometimes makes people stay indoors. Because of this, Americans have come up with many fun and creative phrases, or idioms, about rain. These idioms don’t always talk about the weather. They often show feelings, situations, or surprises in everyday life.
You might hear someone say, “It’s raining cats and dogs,” or “Come rain or shine,” and wonder what they mean. These sayings help people express ideas in a fun and simple way. In this article, we’ll learn some popular rain idioms used in the USA and how they’re used in daily life. Let’s take a look at these rainy day phrases and what they really mean.
Idioms About Rain
1. Raining cats and dogs
Meaning: Raining very heavily
Example Sentence:
– It was raining cats and dogs, so we stayed inside.
– Don’t forget your umbrella! It’s raining cats and dogs out there.
Other ways to say: Pouring, coming down hard
Fun Fact/Origin: This old saying may come from England, where heavy rain would flood streets and wash away trash, including dead animals.
Usage: Used when it’s raining really hard outside
2. Come rain or shine
Meaning: No matter what the weather is like
Example Sentence:
– We’ll go to Grandma’s house, come rain or shine.
– He walks his dog every morning, come rain or shine.
Other ways to say: No matter what, always
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used to show someone is reliable and won’t cancel plans because of the weather.
Usage: Used to show someone keeps their promise or plan in any condition
3. Save for a rainy day
Meaning: Save something (like money) for a time when it’s needed
Example Sentence:
– I put my birthday money in the bank to save for a rainy day.
– Mom says it’s smart to save for a rainy day.
Other ways to say: Put away for later, save up
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the idea that you might need help on a “bad day,” like one with rain.
Usage: Used when talking about saving for future problems
4. Right as rain
Meaning: Feeling good or healthy again
Example Sentence:
– I had the flu, but now I’m right as rain.
– After a nap, he felt right as rain.
Other ways to say: Feeling great, back to normal
Fun Fact/Origin: British English often uses “right as rain” to mean everything is fine
Usage: Used when someone recovers from being sick or upset
5. Take a rain check
Meaning: Postpone something to do it later
Example Sentence:
– I can’t come to the park today. Can I take a rain check?
– Let’s take a rain check on the movie and go next weekend.
Other ways to say: Maybe later, reschedule
Fun Fact/Origin: This started in baseball games when fans got a “rain check” ticket if a game was canceled due to rain
Usage: Used when someone wants to delay plans
6. It never rains but it pours
Meaning: Problems often happen all at once
Example Sentence:
– First my car broke, then I got sick. It never rains but it pours.
– When bad things happen, they really come all at once.
Other ways to say: When it rains, it pours
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying shows how troubles sometimes come in bunches, not just one at a time
Usage: Used when many problems happen together
7. Rain on someone’s parade
Meaning: To spoil someone’s good time
Example Sentence:
– I didn’t want to rain on her parade, but she forgot to study for the test.
– He was excited to go swimming, but the storm rained on his parade.
Other ways to say: Ruin the fun, spoil the mood
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying comes from real parades, which can be ruined by rain
Usage: Used when someone says or does something that ruins excitement
8. Chasing rainbows
Meaning: Trying to reach something that’s not possible
Example Sentence:
– He’s chasing rainbows if he thinks he can fly without a plane.
– Don’t waste time chasing rainbows.
Other ways to say: Daydreaming, chasing the impossible
Fun Fact/Origin: Rainbows look close but are impossible to touch
Usage: Used when someone is trying to get something that can’t really happen
9. Rain or shine
Meaning: Happens no matter what the weather is like
Example Sentence:
– The school picnic is on Saturday, rain or shine.
– The race goes on, rain or shine.
Other ways to say: No matter the weather
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “come rain or shine,” often used for scheduled events
Usage: Used to describe events that will happen no matter what
10. Be a fair-weather friend
Meaning: A friend who is only around when things are going well
Example Sentence:
– He disappeared when I needed help. He’s a fair-weather friend.
– True friends help even when it’s hard, not just when it’s sunny.
Other ways to say: Not loyal, not a true friend
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom uses “fair weather” (good times) to describe someone who leaves when trouble starts
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t stay during hard times
11. Rainy day fund
Meaning: Money saved for emergencies
Example Sentence:
– Dad keeps a rainy day fund in case something breaks.
– She used her rainy day fund to fix her car.
Other ways to say: Emergency money, savings
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of preparing for hard times, just like preparing for bad weather
Usage: Used when talking about money saved for problems
12. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick
Example Sentence:
– I stayed home today because I’m feeling under the weather.
– He looked under the weather at school.
Other ways to say: Feeling ill, not well
Fun Fact/Origin: Old sailors used this to describe being seasick during storms
Usage: Used when someone is not feeling healthy
13. Storm brewing
Meaning: Trouble is coming
Example Sentence:
– There’s a storm brewing between those two classmates.
– Mom could tell a storm was brewing when we started yelling.
Other ways to say: Trouble is coming, fight is starting
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from watching dark clouds form before a real storm
Usage: Used when a bad situation is starting
14. A face like thunder
Meaning: Someone looks very angry
Example Sentence:
– After losing the game, he had a face like thunder.
– Mom had a face like thunder when she saw the mess.
Other ways to say: Angry look, upset face
Fun Fact/Origin: Thunder is loud and scary, like a really angry person
Usage: Used when someone looks mad
15. Come down in buckets
Meaning: Raining very hard
Example Sentence:
– It came down in buckets during the storm.
– We had to cancel the game because the rain came down in buckets.
Other ways to say: Pouring, heavy rain
Fun Fact/Origin: Buckets hold a lot of water, like how it feels in a heavy rain
Usage: Used to describe strong rainfall
16. A storm in a teacup
Meaning: A big fuss over something small
Example Sentence:
– Their argument was just a storm in a teacup.
– Don’t worry—it’s just a storm in a teacup.
Other ways to say: Overreacting, making a big deal
Fun Fact/Origin: British phrase for tiny problems made to look big
Usage: Used when people make small problems seem huge
17. Cloud on the horizon
Meaning: A possible problem coming soon
Example Sentence:
– Things are fine now, but there’s a cloud on the horizon.
– That test next week is the only cloud on the horizon.
Other ways to say: Trouble ahead, warning sign
Fun Fact/Origin: Clouds often warn of bad weather
Usage: Used when a problem might be coming
18. Brighten up
Meaning: To feel happier
Example Sentence:
– She brightened up after hearing the good news.
– The room brightened up when he smiled.
Other ways to say: Cheer up, feel better
Fun Fact/Origin: Like the sun coming out after rain
Usage: Used when someone feels happier suddenly
19. Get wind of
Meaning: To hear about something secretly
Example Sentence:
– He got wind of the surprise party.
– I got wind of the rule change before the meeting.
Other ways to say: Hear a rumor, find out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from animals smelling danger in the wind
Usage: Used when someone learns something quietly
20. Under a cloud
Meaning: Being suspected of something
Example Sentence:
– He left the job under a cloud of dishonesty.
– The coach was under a cloud after the loss.
Other ways to say: In trouble, not trusted
Fun Fact/Origin: Clouds block the sun, like trouble blocking trust
Usage: Used when someone’s reputation is hurt
21. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: Good can come from bad situations
Example Sentence:
– I missed the trip, but got to rest. Every cloud has a silver lining.
– Losing the game taught us teamwork.
Other ways to say: Something good in bad, look on the bright side
Fun Fact/Origin: Sunlight sometimes shows behind clouds
Usage: Used to find something positive in a tough time
22. Dry spell
Meaning: A time with no success
Example Sentence:
– The team was in a dry spell before winning again.
– He had a dry spell with his writing.
Other ways to say: Bad streak, no luck
Fun Fact/Origin: From farming—no rain means trouble
Usage: Used when someone hasn’t done well for a while
23. As right as rain
Meaning: Everything is perfect
Example Sentence:
– After fixing the bike, it was right as rain.
– The plan went right as rain.
Other ways to say: Just fine, perfect
Fun Fact/Origin: From old English, where rain meant fresh and clean
Usage: Used when things go just right
24. Into each life some rain must fall
Meaning: Everyone has sad times
Example Sentence:
– We all feel down sometimes. Into each life some rain must fall.
– Bad days happen to everyone.
Other ways to say: Life has ups and downs
Fun Fact/Origin: From a Longfellow poem
Usage: Used to remind people sadness is normal
25. Break the ice
Meaning: Start a conversation or friendship
Example Sentence:
– We played a game to break the ice at the party.
– Saying hi helped break the ice.
Other ways to say: Start talking, warm up
Fun Fact/Origin: Ships would “break the ice” to sail
Usage: Used when meeting new people
26. Come out of the blue
Meaning: Happen suddenly with no warning
Example Sentence:
– The storm came out of the blue.
– His call came out of the blue after months of silence.
Other ways to say: All of a sudden, without warning
Fun Fact/Origin: Clear blue skies can suddenly turn stormy
Usage: Used when something happens unexpectedly
27. Snowed under
Meaning: Overwhelmed with work or tasks
Example Sentence:
– I’m snowed under with homework this week.
– She was snowed under with chores at home.
Other ways to say: Very busy, swamped
Fun Fact/Origin: Like being buried under snow
Usage: Used when someone has too much to do
28. Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: To take attention away from someone else
Example Sentence:
– He stole her thunder by announcing his news first.
– Don’t steal her thunder on her birthday.
Other ways to say: Take the spotlight, outshine
Fun Fact/Origin: From theater—using a sound effect before another actor did
Usage: Used when someone gets praise that belonged to someone else
29. A lightning-fast decision
Meaning: A very quick choice
Example Sentence:
– She made a lightning-fast decision and picked the red dress.
– The coach made a lightning-fast decision during the game.
Other ways to say: Quick choice, split-second decision
Fun Fact/Origin: Lightning happens in a flash
Usage: Used when someone acts quickly
30. Wait for the storm to pass
Meaning: Be patient during tough times
Example Sentence:
– Just wait for the storm to pass. Things will get better.
– Sometimes you just have to wait for the storm to pass.
Other ways to say: Hang in there, be patient
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from real storms—you wait them out safely
Usage: Used during difficult situations
31. Hit like a thunderbolt
Meaning: Shock or surprise someone suddenly
Example Sentence:
– The bad news hit her like a thunderbolt.
– His idea hit us like a thunderbolt.
Other ways to say: Surprise, shock
Fun Fact/Origin: Thunderbolts are loud and sudden
Usage: Used when something surprises you deeply
32. A breath of fresh air
Meaning: A nice change or new person
Example Sentence:
– Her visit was a breath of fresh air.
– The new student is a breath of fresh air.
Other ways to say: Refreshing, a good change
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from enjoying clean air after rain
Usage: Used when something or someone is refreshing
33. Ride out the storm
Meaning: Stay strong during hard times
Example Sentence:
– We’ll ride out the storm together.
– The company had to ride out the storm during hard times.
Other ways to say: Get through it, survive it
Fun Fact/Origin: From ships staying safe during storms
Usage: Used to describe staying strong until trouble ends
34. On cloud nine
Meaning: Very happy
Example Sentence:
– She was on cloud nine after winning the contest.
– They were on cloud nine when they got a puppy.
Other ways to say: Overjoyed, thrilled
Fun Fact/Origin: Cloud nine was once used in weather to describe very high clouds
Usage: Used when someone feels really happy
35. Break in the clouds
Meaning: A short moment of hope or relief
Example Sentence:
– After days of sadness, she found a break in the clouds.
– We finally saw a break in the clouds and smiled.
Other ways to say: Small hope, brief relief
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the sky clearing after storm clouds
Usage: Used during tough times when something good happens
36. Throw caution to the wind
Meaning: Take a risk
Example Sentence:
– He threw caution to the wind and joined the talent show.
– She threw caution to the wind and went for the big prize.
Other ways to say: Take a chance, be bold
Fun Fact/Origin: Wind carries things away, like worries
Usage: Used when someone stops worrying and tries something bold
37. Head in the clouds
Meaning: Not paying attention
Example Sentence:
– She had her head in the clouds during class.
– I asked him a question, but his head was in the clouds.
Other ways to say: Daydreaming, not focused
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from imagining someone high up, not grounded
Usage: Used when someone is not paying attention
38. A cloud of doubt
Meaning: Uncertainty or suspicion
Example Sentence:
– There was a cloud of doubt about the story.
– The teacher had a cloud of doubt about his excuse.
Other ways to say: Not sure, suspicious
Fun Fact/Origin: Doubt covers the truth like clouds cover the sun
Usage: Used when something is not trusted
39. The calm before the storm
Meaning: A quiet time before trouble
Example Sentence:
– The house was silent—the calm before the storm.
– Recess was quiet before the big game started.
Other ways to say: Peace before chaos
Fun Fact/Origin: Real storms often have quiet moments before they hit
Usage: Used before a big event or problem
40. In the eye of the storm
Meaning: In the middle of a tough situation
Example Sentence:
– She’s in the eye of the storm with that project.
– The teacher was in the eye of the storm during the meeting.
Other ways to say: In the middle of trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: The eye of a hurricane is calm, but danger surrounds it
Usage: Used when someone is in the center of a problem
41. Dark clouds ahead
Meaning: Trouble is coming
Example Sentence:
– There are dark clouds ahead if we don’t finish the work.
– He saw dark clouds ahead in the company’s future.
Other ways to say: Warning, upcoming trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: Dark clouds often mean rain or storms are coming
Usage: Used to warn about possible problems
42. Blow hot and cold
Meaning: Change moods quickly
Example Sentence:
– She blows hot and cold about joining the team.
– He blew hot and cold all week.
Other ways to say: Be unsure, flip-flop
Fun Fact/Origin: Weather changes helped inspire this phrase
Usage: Used when someone keeps changing their mind
43. Storm out
Meaning: Leave angrily
Example Sentence:
– He stormed out after the argument.
– She stormed out of the room when we laughed.
Other ways to say: Leave in anger, walk out mad
Fun Fact/Origin: “Storm” means moving quickly and angrily
Usage: Used when someone leaves a place in a bad mood
44. Weather the storm
Meaning: Deal with a difficult time
Example Sentence:
– We can weather the storm if we stick together.
– The business weathered the storm and stayed open.
Other ways to say: Get through it, survive tough times
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sailing—surviving real storms at sea
Usage: Used to describe surviving hardship
45. Snowball effect
Meaning: Something small that grows bigger quickly
Example Sentence:
– The problem snowballed after we ignored it.
– Her idea had a snowball effect and got very popular.
Other ways to say: Grow fast, build up
Fun Fact/Origin: Snowballs grow as they roll downhill
Usage: Used when small actions grow into bigger results
Quiz: Idioms About Rain
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Each question has only one correct answer.
Question Key
1. What does “raining cats and dogs” mean?
A) Small animals are outside
B) It’s raining very heavily
C) The pets are fighting
2. If someone says, “I’ll go jogging, come rain or shine,” what do they mean?
A) Only if the weather is good
B) They’ll go no matter what
C) They like jogging in the rain
3. What is a “rainy day fund”?
A) Money for water toys
B) Money saved for fun trips
C) Money saved for emergencies
4. What does “under the weather” mean?
A) Outside in the rain
B) Feeling sick or unwell
C) Hiding from the rain
5. If someone “takes a rain check,” what are they doing?
A) Canceling forever
B) Planning to do something later
C) Going out in the rain
6. What does “rain on someone’s parade” mean?
A) Watch a rainy parade
B) Join someone’s celebration
C) Ruin someone’s fun
7. What does “chasing rainbows” mean?
A) Running through the rain
B) Going after something impossible
C) Coloring pictures
8. What does “on cloud nine” mean?
A) Up in the clouds
B) Very happy
C) Flying in an airplane
9. If you hear “a storm is brewing,” what should you expect?
A) Good news
B) A fight or trouble is coming
C) A sunny day
10. What does “steal someone’s thunder” mean?
A) Take their spotlight
B) Help them feel happy
C) Make it rain
11. If you are “snowed under,” how do you feel?
A) Cold
B) Very busy or overwhelmed
C) Lost in the snow
12. What does “a breath of fresh air” mean?
A) Someone or something refreshing
B) Cold winter air
C) Blowing on your face
13. If someone says, “We’ll ride out the storm,” what are they trying to do?
A) Go surfing
B) Leave a scary place
C) Stay strong through a tough time
14. What is “the calm before the storm”?
A) A quiet time before things get crazy
B) A peaceful vacation
C) A nice summer day
15. What is a “snowball effect”?
A) Playing in snow
B) Something small that grows quickly
C) Throwing snowballs fast
Answer Key
- B – It’s raining very heavily.
- B – They’ll go no matter what.
- C – Money saved for emergencies.
- B – Feeling sick or unwell.
- B – Planning to do something later.
- C – Ruin someone’s fun.
- B – Going after something impossible.
- B – Very happy.
- B – A fight or trouble is coming.
- A – Take their spotlight.
- B – Very busy or overwhelmed.
- A – Someone or something refreshing.
- C – Stay strong through a tough time.
- A – A quiet time before things get crazy.
- B – Something small that grows quickly.
Wrapping Up
Idioms about rain help make talking more fun and easier to understand. In the USA, people use these phrases to talk about everything from bad weather to hard days or happy moments. These sayings are part of everyday life and help people share how they feel in a clear way.
By learning these idioms, you can understand others better and also speak in a more colorful way. So next time it rains, try using one of these idioms. You might find it makes your sentence more interesting and fun to say.
