Weather idioms are well-known expressions which are taken from the changing conditions of the atmosphere, yet they find their way into our everyday conversations. These idiomatic phrases often convey complex emotions or situations using relatable weather phenomena. While they may originate from weathering events such as rain, wind, sun, storm, and ice, their meanings can shift dramatically when used in common discussions.
In this article, you will get to know a variety of weather-related idioms, each rich in imagery and meaning. We have conducted thorough research to compile this collection, providing simple explanations and examples of how each weather metaphor is applied. This reading will definitely make easy for you to enhance your vocabulary by easily using the idioms smoothly in your daily conversations.
20 Weather-Related Idioms With Their Meanings & Examples
- Under the Weather
- Raining Cats and Dogs
- Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
- Break the Ice
- Storm in a Teacup
- Fair-Weather Friend
- Cloud Nine
- Chasing Rainbows
- Take a Rain Check
- It Never Rains But It Pours
- Lightning Fast
- In the Eye of the Storm
- Get Wind of
- Snowed Under
- A Ray of Sunshine
- Head in the Clouds
- Weather the Storm
- On Thin Ice
- Throw Caution to the Wind
- Rain on Someone’s Parade
- Under a Cloud
1. Under the Weather
Meaning: Feeling ill.
If someone is “under the weather,” they are feeling sick or unwell. It’s like saying their internal weather is stormy, affecting how they feel.
Example: She’s been under the weather all week, so she stayed home from work.
2. Raining Cats and Dogs
Meaning: Heavy rain.
This idiom means that it is raining very heavily, as if the sky is pouring down animals instead of water. Imagine a downpour so intense it seems like cats and dogs are falling from the sky.
Example: We can’t go outside because it’s raining cats and dogs.
3. Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Meaning: There is something good in every bad situation.
This phrase means that even in bad times, there is always something positive to be found, just like how dark clouds can have bright edges, signaling hope or good news.
Example: I lost my job, but every cloud has a silver lining—now I can pursue my passion.
4. Break the Ice
Meaning: Start a conversation.
To “break the ice” means to start a conversation in a social setting, making everyone feel more comfortable, like breaking the cold barrier between people to warm things up.
Example: He told a joke to break the ice at the party.
5. Storm in a Teacup
Meaning: Making a big deal out of a minor issue.
This means creating a fuss over something small or unimportant, much like making a storm out of a small teacup of water. It’s an overreaction to a minor issue.
Example: Their argument was just a storm in a teacup.
6. Fair-Weather Friend
Meaning: Someone who is only around during good times.
A “fair-weather friend” is someone who supports you only when things are going well, not during tough times. They’re around for the good times but disappear when things get rough.
Example: I realized he was a fair-weather friend when he vanished during my tough times.
7. Cloud Nine
Meaning: Extreme happiness.
If someone is on “cloud nine,” they are extremely happy, as if they are floating high in the sky on a soft, fluffy cloud, feeling elated.
Example: She’s been on cloud nine since she got the promotion.
8. Chasing Rainbows
Meaning: Pursuing unrealistic dreams.
This idiom means trying to achieve something that is impossible or very difficult, like trying to catch a rainbow which always moves further away, making it an endless pursuit.
Example: He’s always chasing rainbows instead of focusing on realistic goals.
9. Take a Rain Check
Meaning: Postpone a plan.
To “take a rain check” means to delay or reschedule an invitation or plan, as if you are asking for a ticket to use later because of rain, implying you still intend to do it but at a later time.
Example: Can we take a rain check on dinner? I’m busy tonight.
10. It Never Rains But It Pours
Meaning: Problems often come all at once.
This phrase means when one bad thing happens, a lot of other bad things often follow, like a heavy downpour of problems all at once.
Example: First, my car broke down, and now my phone is lost—it never rains but it pours.
11. Lightning Fast
Meaning: Very quick.
If something is “lightning fast,” it is extremely fast, as quick as a lightning bolt, emphasizing speed and swiftness.
Example: His response was lightning fast.
12. In the Eye of the Storm
Meaning: In the middle of a chaotic situation.
This idiom means being in the center of a turbulent or difficult situation, much like being in the calm center of a storm while chaos rages around you.
Example: She was in the eye of the storm during the company’s restructuring.
13. Get Wind of
Meaning: Hear a rumor or piece of information.
To “get wind of” something means to learn about it informally or through gossip, as if the news is carried to you by the wind, spreading quickly.
Example: I got wind of the new project during lunch.
14. Snowed Under
Meaning: Overwhelmed with work.
If someone is “snowed under,” they have too much work to handle, feeling buried under a pile of snow, overwhelmed with tasks.
Example: She’s snowed under with assignments this week.
15. A Ray of Sunshine
Meaning: Someone who is always cheerful.
A “ray of sunshine” is a person who brings happiness and positivity to others, like sunlight brightening a cloudy day, spreading cheer.
Example: Her laughter is a ray of sunshine on a gloomy day.
16. Head in the Clouds
Meaning: Dreamy or absent-minded.
If someone has their “head in the clouds,” they are dreamy or not paying attention to what is happening around them, as if they are lost in their own thoughts.
Example: He always has his head in the clouds during meetings.
17. Weather the Storm
Meaning: Survive a difficult situation.
To “weather the storm” means to endure and overcome difficulties, like surviving through a storm by being strong and resilient.
Example: They managed to weather the storm of financial crisis.
18. On Thin Ice
Meaning: In a risky or precarious situation.
If someone is “on thin ice,” they are in a dangerous or risky position, like walking on ice that might break, making their situation precarious.
Example: He’s on thin ice with his boss after that mistake.
19. Throw Caution to the Wind
Meaning: Take a risk.
To “throw caution to the wind” means to take a risk and act without worrying about the consequences, as if you are letting caution blow away, embracing uncertainty.
Example: They decided to throw caution to the wind and go on the adventure.
20. Under a Cloud
Meaning: Under suspicion or in disgrace.
If someone is “under a cloud,” they are suspected of doing something wrong or are in disgrace, like being overshadowed by a dark cloud, affecting their reputation.
Example: He’s been under a cloud since the scandal broke out.
Popular Rainy Weather Idioms
Rainy weather has given us many idioms that we use in daily conversations. These phrases use rain, from heavy showers to light drizzle, to express different feelings and situations. Below are some common rainy weather idioms with their meanings and examples.
21. Rain on Someone’s Parade
Meaning: Spoil someone’s plans.
To “rain on someone’s parade” means to ruin their plans or fun, as if a rainstorm is spoiling a joyful parade.
Example: I hate to rain on your parade, but we have to cancel the picnic.
22. Save it for a Rainy Day
Meaning: Set something aside for the future.
“Save it for a rainy day” expression suggests keeping money or resources for a time when they might be needed unexpectedly.
Example: She put a portion of her paycheck into savings, always remembering to save it for a rainy day.
23. Come Rain or Shine.
Meaning: No matter the circumstances.
This phrase about rain means that something will happen regardless of any difficulties or obstacles.
Example: He promised to support his friend come rain or shine.
24. Right as Rain
Meaning: In perfect condition.
This rainy day idiom describes someone or something that is in excellent health or order.
Example: After a few days of rest, she was feeling right as rain.
Sunny Day Idioms To Brighten Up Your Morning
Sunny weather brings a variety of idioms that we often use in our everyday conversations. These phrases use sunshine, from bright, clear skies to warm, cheerful days, to express different feelings and situations. Below are some popular sunny day idioms along with their meanings and examples.
25. Brighten up
Meaning: To become happier or more cheerful.
When someone or something makes a situation feel more pleasant and joyful.
Example: The surprise visit from an old friend brightened up her day.
26. Sunshine and Roses
Meaning: Everything is going perfectly well.
This phrase is used to describe situations that are extremely positive and ideal.
Example: Ever since they moved to the countryside, their life has been all sunshine and roses.
27. Walk on Sunshine
Meaning: Feeling extremely happy.
“Walk on Sunshine” describes a state of elation and pure joy, as if nothing could bring you down.
Example: After getting the job offer, he felt like he was walking on sunshine.
28. Make Hay While the Sun Shines
Meaning: Take advantage of a good situation while it lasts.
This sunny day expression means making the most of an opportunity while it’s available, before it passes.
Example: With the market booming, investors are making hay while the sun shines.
Bonus Idioms Related to Cold Weather
Cold weather idioms can bring a icy twist ot our everyday conversations. These english phrases about cold weather descries critical situation or feeling in just few words.
29. Cold Shoulder
Meaning: To ignore someone.
When you give someone the “cold shoulder,” you are deliberately ignoring them, making them feel unwelcome or unappreciated.
Example: She gave him the cold shoulder at the reunion.
30. Left Out in the Cold
Meaning: To be ignored or neglected.
When someone is “left out in the cold,” they are ignored or neglected, feeling excluded from a group or activity.
Example: The new employee felt left out in the cold during the team meeting.
31. Snowball Effect
Meaning: When something starts small and grows increasingly large or serious.
The “snowball effect” describes a process that starts small and becomes increasingly large or serious over time, like a snowball rolling down a hill and getting bigger as it collects more snow.
Example: The rumor started as a whisper but quickly became a snowball effect, spreading across the entire office.
Illustrations of Weather Related Idioms
These images of weather-related idioms perfectly capture their meanings. By looking at these illustrations, you can easily guess the idioms being portrayed. These clear and engaging infographics bring these colorful phrases to life, making it easy to understand the underlying meanings of weather idioms in an insightful way.
- Head in the Clouds
2. Storm in a Cup
4. Cold Day in a Hell
5. A Ray of Sunshine
Enjoying these idioms? We have a whole idioms collection for you to explore! Our massive idioms library is categorized into various themes, so you can find the perfect expression.
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