It's raining cats and dogs is a very popular expression in the English language!
If you’re studying at one of our UK schools at the moment, then you’ll have heard lots of people talking about the bad summer weather this year!
Talking about the weather is a great conversation starter. Previously in the blog, we have looked at how to talk about the weather in the English. Besides having a large vocabulary for talking about the weather, the English language also has a variety of weather idioms. Today we are intoducing a few of our favorites!
Remember – if you’re ever planning a trip to the UK, it’s best you learn all the rain ones first! Save the sun idioms for a trip to Australia or California.
Raining cats and dogs: if it is raining cats and dogs, it is raining very heavily.
Example: Don’t forget your umbrella: it’s raining cats and dogs outside!
Indian summer: a period of warm, sunny weather in late autumn or early winter, usually occurring after a period of cold or frosty weather.
Example: Last October, Europe experienced an Indian summer with high temperatures lasting until November.
Brighten up the day: If something brightens up your day, something happens that makes you feel positive and happy all day long.
Example: Thanks for buying me lunch, it really brightened up my day.
Cloud nine: If you are on cloud nine, you are extremely happy.
Example: She has been on cloud nine since getting married.
Take a rain check: to postpone something
Example: Can we take a rain check on our cinema date? I have too much homework.
To be a breeze: to be easy
Example: This exam is going to be a breeze.
To blow hot and cold: to keep changing your attitude.
Example: I’m not sure if she likes me. She keeps blowing hot and cold.
The calm before the storm: a quiet time before a busy or difficult period.
Example: It’s going to get very busy tomorrow. Today is the calm before the storm.
"Every cloud has a silver lining" is a very positive idiom!
Every cloud has a silver lining: every bad situation has a positive side to it.
Example: I’m not going on holiday this year, but every cloud has a silver lining, as I’m able to spend more time with my family at home!
To be snowed under: to be very busy.
Example “I am snowed under with English homework.”
Come rain or shine: whatever happens.
Example: I will play football tonight come rain or shine.
To steal someone’s thunder: to do what someone else was going to do and receive all the praise; or take the attention away from someone else.
Example: My classmate stole my thunder when he told the teacher that he did all the work on the presentation.
Have you heard any of these expressions before? Which is your favorite?
Do you have any weather expressions where you’re from?
