Rain plays a big role in our daily lives, so it’s no surprise it shows up in the way we speak too.
From light drizzles to heavy storms, rain has inspired some of the most vivid and expressive idioms in the English language.
These phrases often go beyond the weather and describe emotions, challenges, luck, or unexpected events.
Idioms for Rain
1. Raining cats and dogs
Meaning: Raining very heavily.
Usage:
It was raining cats and dogs, so we canceled the picnic.
Don’t forget your umbrella—it’s raining cats and dogs out there!
2. Come rain or shine
Meaning: No matter the weather or situation.
Usage:
She runs every morning, come rain or shine.
We’ll be at your wedding come rain or shine.
3. Save for a rainy day
Meaning: Save money or resources for a time of need.
Usage:
I’m putting some money aside for a rainy day.
Mom always told me to save for a rainy day.
4. It never rains but it pours
Meaning: Problems often come all at once.
Usage:
First the car broke down, then I lost my wallet—it never rains but it pours.
When bad luck hits, it never rains but it pours.
5. Right as rain
Meaning: Feeling completely fine or healthy.
Usage:
I was sick yesterday, but today I feel right as rain.
After some rest, you’ll be right as rain.
6. Rain on someone’s parade
Meaning: Spoil someone’s plans or mood.
Usage:
I hate to rain on your parade, but the concert was canceled.
Don’t rain on her parade—let her enjoy the moment.
7. Come in out of the rain
Meaning: Stop doing something foolish or unrealistic.
Usage:
You’ve got to come in out of the rain and face reality.
It’s time to come in out of the rain and start planning properly.
8. Take a rain check
Meaning: Postpone an invitation or event.
Usage:
I’m tired tonight—can I take a rain check on dinner?
We’ll take a rain check and meet next week.
9. Chase rainbows
Meaning: Pursue unrealistic dreams.
Usage:
He’s still chasing rainbows, thinking he’ll be a movie star overnight.
I don’t want to chase rainbows, I want real goals.
10. As welcome as a rainstorm at a picnic
Meaning: Something very unwelcome.
Usage:
That surprise test was as welcome as a rainstorm at a picnic.
Her rude comment was as welcome as a rainstorm at a picnic.
11. Be soaked to the skin
Meaning: Completely drenched with rain.
Usage:
We forgot our umbrellas and were soaked to the skin.
After the game, the kids were soaked to the skin.
12. Come down in buckets
Meaning: Raining very heavily.
Usage:
It was coming down in buckets by the time we got home.
We got drenched—it was coming down in buckets.
13. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling slightly ill.
Usage:
I’m feeling under the weather today.
If you’re under the weather, you should rest.
14. Rain or shine
Meaning: Something will happen regardless of conditions.
Usage:
The festival is on rain or shine.
We’ll be there, rain or shine.
15. Rainy-day fund
Meaning: Money saved for emergencies.
Usage:
We dipped into our rainy-day fund when the car broke down.
Everyone should have a rainy-day fund.
16. As right as a rainstorm in August
Meaning: Something unusual but possibly refreshing.
Usage:
Her bold decision was as right as a rainstorm in August.
Sometimes change feels as right as a rainstorm in August.
17. A rain of blows
Meaning: A series of attacks or criticisms.
Usage:
He faced a rain of blows from angry customers.
The press unleashed a rain of blows after the scandal.
18. Wait for the storm to pass
Meaning: Endure hard times until things improve.
Usage:
Things are tough, but we’ll wait for the storm to pass.
Sometimes all you can do is wait for the storm to pass.
19. Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: Take attention away from someone else’s moment.
Usage:
She stole his thunder by announcing her promotion first.
Don’t steal my thunder at my own birthday party!
20. The calm before the storm
Meaning: A peaceful moment before chaos begins.
Usage:
The house was quiet—it was the calm before the storm.
Enjoy this peace—it’s just the calm before the storm.
21. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: There’s something good in every bad situation.
Usage:
Losing that job was tough, but it led to a better one—every cloud has a silver lining.
She reminded me that every cloud has a silver lining.
22. A face like thunder
Meaning: Someone looks very angry.
Usage:
He walked in with a face like thunder.
After the argument, she had a face like thunder.
23. Storm brewing
Meaning: Trouble or conflict is about to begin.
Usage:
You could feel a storm brewing in the office.
There’s a storm brewing between those two politicians.
24. Cloud over
Meaning: When someone’s mood suddenly turns gloomy.
Usage:
His face clouded over when she mentioned the past.
The party was great until the mood clouded over.
25. Like a thunderbolt out of the blue
Meaning: Something shocking or unexpected.
Usage:
The news hit me like a thunderbolt out of the blue.
Her decision came like a thunderbolt out of the blue.
