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weather idioms

29 Weather Idioms

29 Weather Idioms You Need to Know

Weather isn’t just a topic for small talk; it has also inspired a lot of idioms in English! Let’s take a look at the most popular weather idioms used in English. Whether you’re feeling “under the weather” or you’re on “cloud nine,” these idioms will help you express yourself better. Let’s explore these colorful expressions together!

Under the weather

To feel sick or not well.

I can’t go to the party because I feel a bit under the weather.
She’s been feeling under the weather, so she’s staying home to rest.

Raining cats and dogs

When it’s raining very heavily.

We had to cancel our picnic because it started raining cats and dogs.
I got soaked on my way home; it was raining cats and dogs.

On cloud nine

To feel extremely happy.

After getting the job, she’s been on cloud nine all week.
Winning the game made the whole team feel on cloud nine.

Weather the storm

To go through a difficult time and come out okay.

Even with all the problems, they managed to weather the storm and keep the business going.
We’ll get through this together and weather the storm as a family.

A ray of sunshine

Someone or something that makes you happy or brings hope.

His visit was like a ray of sunshine on her bad day.
Her friend’s kind words were a ray of sunshine during a tough time.

Face like thunder

A very angry or upset facial expression.

When he saw the mess, he had a face like thunder.
Her face was like thunder when she found out the vase was broken.

Head in the clouds

To not be paying attention or thinking about something else.

He’s always got his head in the clouds during meetings; he never listens.
Stop daydreaming and focus; you’ve got your head in the clouds.

Snowed under

To have too much work to handle.

I have so many assignments this week; I’m snowed under with work.
She’s snowed under with emails since she got back from vacation.

Come rain or shine

No matter what happens or what the weather is like.

The concert will happen, come rain or shine.
She promised to always be there for him, come rain or shine.

Fair-weather friend

Someone who is only a friend when things are going well but not when things get tough.

When I lost my job, I realized he was just a fair-weather friend.
She was there for me in good and bad times, not like those fair-weather friends.

A storm in a teacup

A big fuss or worry over something small and not important.

Don’t stress over the argument; it’s just a storm in a teacup.
The disagreement turned into a storm in a teacup and quickly passed.

Chase rainbows

To try to achieve something that is unrealistic or not possible.

I admire his dreams, but sometimes he’s just chasing rainbows.
Stop chasing rainbows and focus on goals you can actually reach.

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Under a cloud

When people think someone has done something wrong and they can’t be trusted.

Ever since the mistake, he’s been under a cloud at work.
She felt like she was under a cloud of doubt after the accusation.

Save for a rainy day

To save money for a time when you might need it.

It’s important to save for a rainy day in case something bad happens.
She saved for a rainy day, which helped her when she lost her job.

Calm before the storm

A quiet or peaceful time right before something big or difficult happens.

The house was quiet, but it felt like the calm before the storm before the guests arrived.
Enjoy the calm before the storm, because once the kids come home, it’s going to be chaotic.

Every cloud has a silver lining

Even when something bad happens, even in a difficult situation, there is something good.

After losing his job, he realized every cloud has a silver lining—he had more time for his family.
The team lost the game, but every cloud has a silver lining—it brought them closer together.

Steal someone’s thunder

To take attention or praise away from someone by doing something they were going to do or by making what you did seem more important.

He stole my thunder by sharing the good news before I had the chance.
She didn’t want anyone to steal her thunder, so she kept her promotion a secret until the meeting.

Break the ice

To do something to make people feel less awkward or uncomfortable in a new situation.

He told a joke to break the ice, and everyone started laughing.
The host played a game to break the ice and get people talking at the party.

Take a rain check

To politely refuse an offer or invitation but say that you’d like to do it another time.

I can’t make it to dinner tonight, but can I take a rain check?
She was too busy to go to the movies, so she took a rain check for next week.

Once in a blue moon

Something that happens very rarely.

He only visits his hometown once in a blue moon.
I eat fast food only once in a blue moon because I try to stay healthy.

When it rains, it pours

When one bad thing happens, it’s often followed by many other bad things.

First, I lost my keys, and then I missed the bus—when it rains, it pours!
She was having a tough week: her car broke down, and she got sick. When it rains, it pours.

In the wind

Something that is uncertain or likely to happen soon but hasn’t been confirmed yet.

There are rumors of a company merger in the wind, but nothing has been officially announced.
Changes in the team’s management are in the wind, but we’re still waiting for confirmation.

All wet

To be completely wrong or mistaken about something.

His idea about the project was all wet; it won’t work at all.
If you think that’s going to solve the problem, you’re all wet.

As right as rain

To feel completely fine or healthy after being unwell, or for something to be in perfect condition.

After a good night’s sleep, I felt as right as rain.
The repairs went smoothly, and now the car is as right as rain.

A breeze

Something that is very easy to do.

The test was a breeze; I finished it in just 20 minutes.
Learning to ride a bike was a breeze for her.

A breath of fresh air

Someone or something that is new, exciting, or refreshing in a positive way.

Her innovative ideas were a breath of fresh air in the company’s old routine.
After months of doing the same thing, the vacation was a breath of fresh air.

A snowball’s chance in hell

No chance at all; something very unlikely to happen.

He has a snowball’s chance in hell of finishing the project by tomorrow.
They don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the championship this year.

Get a frosty reception

To be greeted in an unfriendly or cold way by others.

When she suggested a new idea in the meeting, she got a frosty reception from her coworkers.
He got a frosty reception from his old friends after being away for so long.

Rain on someone’s parade

To spoil someone’s plans or ruin their moment of happiness.

I don’t want to rain on your parade, but we might have to cancel the trip because of bad weather.
She was excited about her promotion, but her boss rained on her parade by giving her extra work.

Did you find the weather idioms interesting? Don’t forget to check out our time idioms too!

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