Idioms are a fascinating aspect of language that often convey deeper meanings beyond their literal interpretation. When it comes to weather, there are numerous idioms that have been popularized over the years, each with its own unique meaning and history. These idioms reflect how humans have long been fascinated by the natural world and have used weather as a metaphor for a range of emotions and experiences.
In this list, we’ll explore 35+ common idioms about the weather in English and their meanings, providing examples to help you understand their usage in context.
Idioms About WEATHER
Here are 35+ common English idioms related to weather, along with their meanings and examples:
- Under the weather – feeling sick or unwell
Example: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I think I’ll stay home and rest.” - Weather the storm – to endure a difficult or challenging situation
Example: “It’s been a tough year, but we managed to weather the storm and come out stronger on the other side.” - A ray of sunshine – someone or something that brings happiness or hope
Example: “My best friend is always a ray of sunshine when I’m feeling down.” - Break the ice – to ease tension or awkwardness in a situation
Example: “I decided to tell a joke to break the ice and make everyone feel more comfortable.” - A storm in a teacup – a situation that is blown out of proportion and is not as serious as it seems
Example: “Everyone was worried about the missing keys, but it turned out to be a storm in a teacup – they were just in the drawer.” - Cloud nine – a state of extreme happiness or euphoria
Example: “When I got the job offer, I was on cloud nine for days.” - In the eye of the storm – a calm or peaceful moment in the midst of chaos or conflict
Example: “Even though the project was challenging, I managed to find some peace in the eye of the storm and stay focused.” - Save for a rainy day – to save money for a future emergency or difficult time
Example: “I always try to save some money for a rainy day, just in case I need it.” - Snowed under – overwhelmed with work or responsibilities
Example: “I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the party – I’ve been completely snowed under with work lately.” - To be on thin ice – to be in a risky or dangerous situation
Example: “If you keep missing deadlines, you’ll be on thin ice with your boss.” - A perfect storm – a particularly difficult or dangerous situation resulting from a combination of factors
Example: “The company faced a perfect storm of declining sales, rising costs, and increased competition.” - It’s raining cats and dogs – it’s raining heavily
Example: “I’m sorry I’m late, but it was raining cats and dogs and I got stuck in traffic.” - Weather the elements – to endure harsh weather conditions
Example: “The hikers had to weather the elements during their trek through the mountains.” - Clear the air – to resolve a conflict or clarify a misunderstanding
Example: “I think we need to have a meeting to clear the air and address any concerns.” - Every cloud has a silver lining – there’s always something positive to be found in a negative situation
Example: “I didn’t get the job I wanted, but I realized that every cloud has a silver lining – I now have more time to focus on my other goals.” - The calm before the storm – a period of relative peace before a difficult or tumultuous event
Example: “The office was quiet before the big meeting – it was the calm before the storm.” - Snowball effect – a situation in which something grows or becomes more significant quickly and uncontrollably
Example: “The success of their first product led to a snowball effect, and now the company has expanded into new markets.” - In hot water – in trouble or facing negative consequences
Example: “I forgot to submit the report on time, and now I’m in hot water with my boss.” - Dark horse – someone who unexpectedly succeeds or wins
Example: “She was a dark horse in the competition, but her talent and hard work paid off in the end.” - A fair-weather friend – someone who is only supportive when things are going well
Example: “He was only there for me when I was successful – I realized he was just a fair-weather friend.” - Blow hot and cold – to change one’s attitude or opinion frequently
Example: “I can never tell what he really thinks – he’s always blowing hot and cold on different topics.” - Storm in a brewing teacup – a situation that has the potential to become more significant than it is
Example: “I think we should address the issue now before it becomes a storm in a brewing teacup.” - Weather the storm – to endure or survive a difficult situation
Example: “The company was able to weather the storm of economic downturn and come out stronger.” - Break a storm – to cause an argument or controversy
Example: “I didn’t mean to break a storm, but my comments on the issue were taken the wrong way.” - Fair weather – good or favorable conditions
Example: “We should take advantage of the fair weather and have a picnic in the park.” - Hail Mary – a last-ditch effort or desperate move
Example: “They were losing the game, so they decided to make a Hail Mary pass in the final seconds.” - The wind in one’s sails – something that motivates or inspires someone
Example: “Her recent success has given her the wind in her sails to pursue even bigger goals.” - Rain check – to postpone or reschedule something for a later time
Example: “I can’t make it to the movie tonight – can I take a rain check and join you next week?” - Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky in morning, sailor’s warning – a proverb indicating that the color of the sky at sunrise or sunset can predict the weather for the day
- Shoot the breeze – to chat or have a casual conversation
Example: “We were just shooting the breeze over lunch and catching up on each other’s lives.” - Weather the storm – to endure or survive a difficult situation
Example: “The company was able to weather the storm of economic downturn and come out stronger.” - Take a rain check – to decline an invitation or offer, but suggest doing it another time
Example: “I can’t come to the party tonight, but can I take a rain check and join you next time?” - Under the weather – feeling sick or unwell
Example: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I’m going to stay home and rest.” - Snowed under – overwhelmed or inundated with work or responsibilities
Example: “I’m completely snowed under with projects at work – I don’t know how I’m going to get everything done.” - A ray of sunshine – something or someone that brings joy or hope
Example: “Her kind words were like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.” - Weather vane – someone who changes their opinions or beliefs based on popular or prevailing views
Example: “I can never trust his opinion – he’s such a weather vane who always follows the crowd.” - Cloud nine – a state of blissful happiness or euphoria
Example: “Winning the lottery would put me on cloud nine.” - In the eye of the storm – in the midst of a difficult or chaotic situation
Example: “As CEO, she was right in the eye of the storm during the company’s crisis.” - Snowball’s chance in hell – a very small or unlikely chance of success
Example: “He thinks he can convince the boss to give him a raise, but he has a snowball’s chance in hell.” - Tempest in a teapot – a situation that seems dramatic or important but is actually insignificant
Example: “Her complaint about the office temperature was a tempest in a teapot – there were much bigger issues to address.”
Learning and using English idioms related to weather can add color and variety to your language and help you better express yourself in various situations.
