Rain Idioms in English: Easy Examples and Meanings

Q: What is the idiomatic expression for rain?

One of the most common idioms about rain is it's raining cats and dogs, which means a heavy downpour. This phrase is widely used in American English and British English. Learning this idiom is useful when talking about rain and weather.

Q: What is a famous phrase with rain?

A well-known phrase is come rain or shine. It means that something will happen no matter what the weather or situation is. Native English speakers often use this phrase to show commitment or determination.

Q: What is a catchy quote about rain?

A popular quote is every cloud has a silver lining. This means that even when bad things happen, something good can still come from them. It is often used when talking about life challenges, not just rain or stormy weather.

Q: What is a phrase that describes rain?

The idiom rain on your parade describes a bad thing that takes away someone's happiness or attention away from someone. Native speakers use this idiom when talking about rain or events ruined by unexpected problems.

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Rain idioms are common in the English language, and native speakers use them often when talking about the weather or life events.

Expressions like it’s raining cats and dogs or come rain or shine make your English vocabulary stronger and help you sound more like a native English speaker.

This guide will help you learn English idioms about rain in a simple way.

see our free infographic below for the amount of rainfall

We include rain idioms, expressions about rain that are not idioms, and we also include idioms that use rein (used to control a horse), and reign (to rule over people).

rain idioms A-C
rain idioms D-P
rain idioms R-Z
reign & rein idioms
rain phrases (not idioms)
FAQ

resources from around the web – more information – references

There are many expressions relating to the level of rain especially heavy rain in English. Here are some of these phrases in an image and infographic free to download if you wish. Enjoy!

rain idioms infographic (free download pdf)

We will also include free downloads and plan to offer a great e-book with insights to how native speakers use these rain idioms.

Rain Idioms Meanings, Examples and Origins

definition, example sentence, origin

This list includes idioms related to rain with their meanings, origin and example sentences. Here are the phrases in alphabetical order

A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

To chase or wish to achieve something that is impossible or very unlikely
Many players chase the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow but only one in a thousand become professional.
Because rainbows are created by the reflection of light, their ends can never be reached, which makes the treasure impossible to find
Its origin is rooted in Irish folklore, where a mischievous leprechaun is said to hide a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
In [1] the looting and burying of gold by Vikings around 800 AD in Ireland led to the idea of pots of gold as hidden treasure.

Chase rainbows (chasing rainbows)

Try to do something impossible or unrealistic
He spends his life chasing rainbows instead of working on real goals.
He’s always chasing rainbows, dreaming of becoming famous overnight.
Based on the idea that the end of a rainbow cannot be reached, making the pursuit hopeless.
Its origin was in the late 19th to early 20th century. It’s based on the impossibility of reaching a rainbow, symbolizing futile or unrealistic pursuits. Likely influenced by folklore about a pot of gold at a rainbow’s end.
The question of where does the phrase chasing rainbows come from is answered in [2] as an expression for ‘rainbow chasers’, people chasing impossible quests back in the 19^th century.

Come in out of the rain

To act sensibly or stop doing something foolish.
If you believe that story, you need to come in out of the rain.
From the literal idea of coming indoors for safety, later used figuratively for common sense.
The phrase ‘know enough to come in out of the rain’ is used to measure if someone does not know something considered obvious. – like it is obvious to need to come in out of the rain.
Originated from the 1590s [3]

Come rain or high water

To continue regardless of difficulties or obstacles.
He delivers the mail every day, come rain or high water.
Blends “come rain or shine” with “come hell or high water,” emphasizing determination.
It is said that ‘Come hell or high water’, which is the original saying, originated in America and was first published in 1882 [4]

Come rain or shine

No matter what happens
She goes jogging every morning, come rain or shine.
Based on the contrast between different kinds of weather to suggest consistency through all conditions.
Its origin Dates back to early 19th century, meaning something will happen regardless of circumstances.

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Hail from

To come from a particular place.
She hails from a small town in the north.
Derived from an old greeting or calling out to someone’s place of origin.
Hail was a nautical term until the mid 18th century. It was customary for passing ships to ‘hail’ each other.” This would include the port from which the ship ‘hailed from’. [5]

It never rains but it pours

When one bad thing happens, many often follow.
I was late, lost my wallet, and then missed my train—it never rains but it pours.
First the car broke down, then I lost my wallet — it never rains but it pours.
Based on the literal image of a light rain turning into a heavy downpour.
Its origin is from back to the early 18th century. First recorded in Jonathan Swift’s writing (1710s). Originally meant that good fortune often comes all at once, but by the 19th century it shifted to its modern sense: misfortunes often come together.

Make it rain

Spend or give out a lot of money freely
The celebrity made it rain in the club by throwing cash into the crowd.
The company made it rain with their new product launch.
Originally from hip-hop culture referring to throwing money in the air like falling rain.
Its origin is two-fold. The older (20th century business slang) meant to generate money or success, especially through effort or influence (as in “rainmaker”). The newer (21st century hip-hop slang) means to throw or spend large amounts of money, especially in clubs.

Rain on someone's parade

Spoil someone’s plans or fun
I don’t want to rain on your parade, but that idea won’t work.
Based on the literal image of rain ruining a parade or celebration.
Its origin Comes from the literal idea of spoiling a parade with bad weather; popularized in the 20th century, especially after the 1964 musical Funny Girl.

Rainmaker

Someone who brings in business or success.
She’s the rainmaker in the company, always finding new clients.
The firm’s top rainmaker landed the biggest client of the year.
Comes from the idea of a person who can magically make rain, later used in business.
Its origin is from late 19th century America. Literally referred to people who claimed to produce rain during droughts using rituals or early science. In business, it came to mean someone who brings in clients or revenue — “making it rain” metaphorically

Raining buckets

Raining very heavily
We got soaked because it was raining buckets outside.
It was raining buckets during the concert.
Refers to the image of rain pouring down as if from buckets.

Raining cats and dogs

Raining very heavily
It’s raining cats and dogs, so let’s stay inside.
It’s raining cats and dogs out there.
possibly from streets flooding and remains washing away.
Its origin Although the origin is uncertain it has been popular since the 17th–18th century; likely from Norse mythology or from filthy streets in heavy rain where dead animals could be washed along.

Right as rain

To feel fine or be in good condition.
After a good night’s sleep, I felt right as rain.
I was sick yesterday, but today I’m right as rain.
Likely from the comforting and reliable nature of rain in British English.
Its origin First appeared in early 20th century British English; “rain” chosen mainly for the pleasing alliteration, meaning “completely fine.”

Save for a rainy day

Save money or resources for the future when needed
She always keeps some money in the bank to save for a rainy day.
She put some of her salary aside to save for a rainy day.
Refers to bad weather as a metaphor for hard times.
Its origin Recorded since the 16th century; metaphor for saving money/resources for difficult times.

Take a rain check

Postpone an invitation or event until later / To politely decline an invitation but suggest another time.
I can’t come to dinner tonight, but can I take a rain check?
I’d love to go out, but I’ll have to take a rain check.
Comes from baseball tickets issued when games were postponed due to rain.
Its origin Originates from U.S. baseball in the 1880s. If a game was rained out, ticket holders received a “rain check” to attend another game.

When it rains, it pours

When one problem happens, more problems often follow
First the car broke down, then I lost my phone—when it rains, it pours.
First the power went out, then my phone died — when it rains, it pours.
Based on a heavy downpour following light rain.
Its origin First used as an advertising slogan by Morton Salt in 1911, though the phrase existed earlier as a proverb meaning misfortunes cluster together.

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Rein Idioms

Free rein

Complete freedom to act as one wishes.
The manager was given free rein to run the project.
Originates from horseback riding, where a loose rein gives the horse freedom.

Give rein to

To allow something to happen or express itself freely.
He gave rein to his imagination and wrote all night.
From horseback riding, when the reins are loosened and the horse moves freely.

Keep a tight rein on

To control something or someone strictly.
The teacher kept a tight rein on the class.
Originates from horseback riding, where tight reins keep the horse under control.

Rein in

To control or limit something.
The government is trying to rein in spending.
Originates from horseback riding, pulling on the reins to slow a horse.

Take the reins

To take control of something.
She decided to take the reins of the project.
From horseback riding, where taking the reins means controlling the horse.

Reign Idiom

Reign supreme

- To be the best or most important.
- Their team continues to reign supreme in the league.
- Comes from the language of royalty and dominance.

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Interested in Nature Idioms?

To see the ultimate list of idioms related to nature then visit our comprehensive list with meaning and example sentences called nature idioms.

Phrases Related to Rain but Not Idioms

As right as rain

Perfectly fine or healthy.
Don’t worry, after a good night’s sleep you’ll be as right as rain.
Dates from early 20th-century British English, using “rain” as a symbol of reliability and renewal.
as right as rain is another version of right as rain but here it is used as a simile. It is also a cliché.

As welcome as rain in the desert (simile)

Be rained off

When an outdoor event is cancelled because of rain.
The football match was rained off again.
Comes from British English sporting slang in the 1800s.

Into each life a little rain must fall (saying)

No rain no flowers (truism, proverb-like saying)

Pour cold water on something

To discourage or criticize an idea.
She poured cold water on my plan to start a business.
From the literal act of cooling something down, symbolizing dampening enthusiasm.

Rain check (variant idiom form)

To postpone or delay participation.
I’ll take a rain check on dinner tonight.
From U.S. baseball games in the late 19th century, when spectators received “rain checks” for postponed matches.

Rain down on

To fall or shower heavily upon someone or something.
Cheers rained down on the winning team.
From the literal sense of rain falling from above, now used figuratively for abundance or attack.

Rain or shine (variant idiom form)

No matter what happens; regardless of the weather.
We’ll hold the fair tomorrow, rain or shine.
Based on enduring through any weather conditions.

Rained in (common phrase)

Rained out (a phrasal verb)

Rainy day fund (a financial cliché)

Soak to the skin (semi-idiomatic expression)

To become completely wet from rain.
I forgot my umbrella and got soaked to the skin.
Originates from literal use, now used figuratively for being thoroughly drenched.

Somewhere over the rainbow

refers to an ideal or perfect place that is beyond one’s current troubles. It signifies a place of dreams and aspirations, or a state of being that is better than the present.
Its origin comes directly from the iconic 1939 song “Over the Rainbow,” sung by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz. In the song, her character Dorothy expresses a longing to escape her drab life in Kansas for a better, more colorful world.

Sunshine and rainbows

used to describe overly optimistic, happy, or idealistic circumstances. It often carries a connotation that such a perfect state is unrealistic, especially when used in the negative, such as “life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows”.
Its origin stems from associating positive feelings with sunshine and the hopeful symbolism of rainbows. The phrase became a common shorthand for perfect, happy things.

The rain held off

When expected rain does not come.
Luckily, the rain held off until after the ceremony.
A literal phrase often used idiomatically in conversation.

Wait for the rain to stop (proverbial-style idiom)

To wait for a difficult time to pass before acting.
Sometimes you just have to wait for the rain to stop.
Uses rain as a metaphor for hardship or trouble.

Weather Idioms

To see the ultimate list of idioms related to weather and the other articles in this series, visit our weather idioms page

Questions Related to Rain Idioms

What is the idiomatic expression for rain?

One of the most common idioms about rain is it’s raining cats and dogs, which means a heavy downpour. This phrase is widely used in American English and British English. Learning this idiom is useful when talking about rain and weather.

What is a famous phrase with rain?

A well-known phrase is come rain or shine. It means that something will happen no matter what the weather or situation is. Native English speakers often use this phrase to show commitment or determination.

What is a catchy quote about rain?

A popular quote is every cloud has a silver lining. This means that even when bad things happen, something good can still come from them. It is often used when talking about life challenges, not just rain or stormy weather.

What is a phrase that describes rain?

The idiom rain on your parade describes a bad thing that takes away someone’s happiness or attention away from someone. Native speakers use this idiom when talking about rain or events ruined by unexpected problems.

Why learn rain Idioms?

Idioms and phrases about rain are a great way to build your English vocabulary. They also make you sound natural when talking about the weather. Using these expressions can turn a simple topic of conversation into a chance to practice your language skills.

Resources Around the Web

We looked at the top 30 websites for rain idioms to see what is worth reading.

Did you know that ‘It never rains but it pours’ is from the UK, whilst ‘When it rains, it pours’ is used in the USA, according to [6].
It’s lashing it down [7] would be at home in Ireland although used in other places.
Our favorite infographic (that is not ours) is found at [8] and the best list that is easy to read is at [9].
Perhaps a section worth reading is entitles ‘rain idioms in different contexts’ which explains the idiom meanings when the differ depending on, well, the context [10].
The most unique content are the regional rain expressions found at [11]

More Information

List of Useful Rain Idioms

It’s raining cats and dogs = heavy downpour
Come rain or shine = no matter what happens
Rain on your parade = spoil someone’s fun
Every cloud has a silver lining = good can come from bad things
Calm before the storm = quiet period before bad things happen
Stole my thunder = took attention away from someone

How Native English Speakers Use Rain Idioms
Native speakers often use idioms about rain in everyday talk, not just when describing the weather. For example, saying calm before the storm can describe a quiet moment before a busy day. When you use idioms like this, you sound more like a native and show great English skills.

Final Idiom to Remember
The final idiom to learn is rain on your parade. It’s short, easy to remember, and shows how idioms can describe bad things happening in life. Practice this idiom and others from the list, and you will improve your vocabulary and sound more natural in conversation.