Weather idioms add color to our conversations by using weather-related expressions to convey deeper meanings. These idioms can describe emotions, situations, and experiences with vivid imagery. Here, we explore 20 popular weather idioms, their meanings, and examples to help you understand and use them effectively.
Idioms That Describe Weather
1. Under the Weather
Meaning: Feeling unwell.
Example: She’s feeling under the weather today.
2. Come Rain or Shine
Meaning: No matter what.
Example: He jogs every day, come rain or shine.
3. Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Meaning: There is something good in every bad situation.
Example: After losing his job, he found a better one. Every cloud has a silver lining.
4. Take a Rain Check
Meaning: Postpone something.
Example: I’ll take a rain check on dinner tonight.
5. It’s Raining Cats and Dogs
Meaning: Raining heavily.
Example: Don’t go out now; it’s raining cats and dogs.
6. When It Rains, It Pours
Meaning: Problems often come together.
Example: First he lost his job, then his car broke down. When it rains, it pours.
7. On Cloud Nine
Meaning: Extremely happy.
Example: She’s been on cloud nine since she got engaged.
8. Fair-Weather Friend
Meaning: A friend only in good times.
Example: He’s a fair-weather friend; he disappeared when I needed help.
9. Throw Caution to the Wind
Meaning: Take a risk.
Example: They threw caution to the wind and invested all their savings.
10. Calm Before the Storm
Meaning: A quiet period before trouble.
Example: The meeting was peaceful, but it was just the calm before the storm.
11. Chase Rainbows
Meaning: Pursue unrealistic goals.
Example: He’s been chasing rainbows with his get-rich-quick schemes.
12. Steal Someone’s Thunder
Meaning: Take credit for another’s achievements.
Example: She stole my thunder by announcing her news right after mine.
13. Break the Ice
Meaning: Start a conversation.
Example: He told a joke to break the ice at the party.
14. Weather the Storm
Meaning: Survive a difficult situation.
Example: They managed to weather the storm and save their business.
15. Storm in a Teacup
Meaning: Exaggerate a small problem.
Example: Their argument was just a storm in a teacup.
16. Head in the Clouds
Meaning: Daydreaming, not focused.
Example: He always has his head in the clouds during meetings.
17. Snowed Under
Meaning: Overwhelmed with work.
Example: She’s snowed under with assignments this week.
18. Make Hay While the Sun Shines
Meaning: Take advantage of a good situation.
Example: He worked hard all summer, making hay while the sun shines.
19. Lightning Fast
Meaning: Very quick.
Example: She finished the project lightning fast.
20. Hot Under the Collar
Meaning: Angry or upset.
Example: He gets hot under the collar when things go wrong.
