Have you ever wondered what it means when we talk about a storm in a teacup? Or what it is to be under the weather? We use idioms like this to help paint a picture of a situation, but they can be confusing the first time you hear them.
Famously, there are few things that British people enjoy more than talking about the weather. While this may be because we have such varied weather in our part of the world, it doesn't explain why we talk about being 'on thin ice' or 'as right as rain'. Hopefully, this article will help to demystify these ideas.
While these idioms may sound like they are about the weather, they are actually about much more varied ideas.
Using English weather idioms can help your English in several ways. Firstly, they are wonderful tools for expressing difficult feelings.
Idioms in everyday speech make it sound more interesting and varied. Peppering your writing with idioms is a great way to give it personality and depth.
We have rounded up twenty popular English idioms which use the weather to express ideas or feelings. You are likely to hear these idioms in everyday conversation, at work, on television or at school so knowing what they mean is really useful.
1. Every cloud has a silver lining
When everything seems to be going wrong, there is usually an upside to our problems. Sometimes we have to look quite hard to find it! This phrase tells us that every bit of bad news has a positive side to it.
“He broke his leg but fell in love with the doctor at the hospital - every cloud has a silver lining.”
2. As right as rain
When something is as right as rain, it is absolutely fine; there is nothing to worry about. We can also use it to talk about ourselves or someone else.
“How’s your mum doing?”
“She’s right as rain, thanks.”
3. Break the ice
When we break the ice we are getting to know someone. We spend time talking to them or asking questions to get to know more than we can see on the surface.
“I have only met him once, I’d like to break the ice.”
4. On cloud nine
Cloud nine is the happiest place. It’s a superlative used to show that we are as happy as can be.
“When I found out I had got the promotion, I was on cloud nine!”
5. It’s a breeze
We use a few variations of this phrase to say that something is very simple.
“How are you finding your new course?”
“I was a bit nervous to start with but because everything is so well explained, it’s a breeze.”
6. Storm in a teacup
An argument which passes or is resolved quickly or to be absolutely furious about something insignificant.
“What were they so angry about earlier?”
“They couldn’t agree on where to have lunch; it was a storm in a teacup.”
7. The calm before the storm
Looking back at a time when everything was going smoothly then something catastrophic, exciting or dramatic occurred, we call the period before the disruption, the calm before the storm.
“On Christmas eve I like to do all of the cooking for the next day to make the most of the calm before the storm.”
8. I’m under the weather
If we are feeling mildly unwell, we will often say we are feeling under the weather.
“How are you today?”
“I’m ok, just feeling under the weather.”
9. Fair weather friend
These tricky characters are people who are always around when things are going well but if you need help or support, they are not there for you.
“Jason’s great fun when you’re buying him drinks at the pub but whenever you need something from him, he’s always too busy. Jason is such a fair weather friend.”
10. Weather the storm
Getting through difficult times can often feel like we’re not in control, much like being stuck in a storm. If we keep going, we can get through it.
“We are in a slow sales period at the moment but we did so well last month that I’m sure we can weather the storm.”
11. It never rains but it pours
When one bad thing happens, more bad things often follow. It might be that when we experience misfortune we are more in tune to other unlucky things, or it may be a real run of bad luck.
“I missed my train. Then, because I was running, my wallet fell out of my pocket. I had to walk to work, then a bus drove by and splashed me.”
“It never rains but it pours. Would you like a cup of tea?”
12. Snowed under
To be incredibly busy. If we have so much to do, we can’t seem to make any progress, we are snowed under.
“I have a report due on Friday, a queue of people outside my office and the phone won’t stop ringing. I am absolutely snowed under.”
13. Saving for a rainy day
We call putting money aside so we can cover unpredictable future expenses ‘saving for a rainy day.’ It can be handy to have a reserve of money to use if a boiler breaks down, or a car needs repairs.
“I put aside 5% of my wages every month. I’m saving for a rainy day.”
14. To Catch wind of something
When we’re in the office or at school and hear people talking, we can sometimes pick up on ideas or a piece of gossip without being told. We call this ‘catching wind of it.”
“I caught wind of something in the canteen earlier - I saw Cindy and Jessica talking so I think there are going to be big changes in their departments.”
15. Throw caution to the wind
Sometimes we are so excited by something, or feel so impulsive that we can act in a reckless or frivolous way. This is called throwing caution to the wind.
“Usually, I save very carefully for holidays but this seemed like such a good deal that I threw caution to the wind and booked it straight away.”
16. Perfect storm
When everything is going wrong all at once and the consequences will be disastrous we call it a perfect storm.
“It’s Monday morning, I have run out of coffee, my car won’t start and I’m already running late. I am getting really angry.”
“Oh dear, it sounds like the perfect storm! Take your time and I’ll pass on your message. Thanks for calling ahead to let us know.”
17. Head in the clouds
People who are easily distracted or are a bit of a daydreamer can be said to have their head in the clouds.
“Paul has missed three opportunities to close this deal this week, is there something wrong?”
“No, he just has his head in the clouds. I’ll have a word with him.”
18. On thin ice
Originally this phrase was ‘skating on thin ice’ but it’s been shortened over the years. In the same way that skating on ice too thin to support you is dangerous, this phrase tells us that someone is acting in a way that will probably get them into trouble.
“George has been late every day this week. He’d better not let Siho catch him. He’s already on thin ice.”
19. Make hay while the sun shines
Sometimes we need to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done. When there is no time for procrastination or an opportunity not to be missed, we must make hay while the sun shines.
“I would love to take a holiday from work this summer but we’ve been offered a bonus for taking on extra hours. I will make hay while the sun shines and then book a holiday for later in the year.”
20. Come rain or shine
When whatever happens we are determined to get something done, we say it will take place come rain or shine. It means we will prioritise it over everything else.
“I will finish decorating the house this weekend, come rain or shine.”
These expressions are great fun to use and can sound poetic because they use metaphor and pathetic fallacy to show more depth and feeling than standard, literal phrases.
Our love for idiomatic expressions which use weather forms may come from the same place as our love for talking about the weather, but I think it runs deeper than this. British people are known for being reserved and I believe expressions like these help us to be expressive without being too personal.
We’d love to hear what you think and to hear any interesting idioms you have used recently.
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