Idioms Using the Word ‘Rain’
Vancouver is no stranger to rain, so why not use it as inspiration to learn some new vocabulary? Here are some idioms and proverbs inspired by the rain!
It’s raining cats and dogs
This is one of the most common idioms, and it means that it is raining a lot.
“Do you want to go to Stanley Park today after school?”
“Are you kidding me? It’s raining cats and dogs!”
“Really?? But it was sunny this morning!”
Take a rain check
If you have to refuse someone’s invitation right now, but you would like to join them another time, you tell them that you want to take a rain check. We can also use this if you have to change plans at the last minute.
“Why don’t we all get together and have dinner somewhere on Robson?”
“Oh, I’d love to, but could I take a rain check? I already have an appointment tonight.”
Rain or shine
If a plan or activity will happen no matter what, you say that it will happen rain or shine. Basically, it doesn’t matter what the weather is like or what the situation is…you really want the activity to happen!
“The marathon will start at 9:00 AM this Sunday morning, rain or shine! Make sure you come prepared.”
When it rains, it pours
Maybe something bad happens to you. Then, another bad thing happens right after…and then, another bad thing immediately after that! If you have experienced many problems in a short time, then you can express your frustration by using this idiom.
“This week, I dropped a glass of water on my laptop, I got into a fight with my best friend, and I lost my wallet when I went to the mall to look at new computers! I can’t believe it!”
“Oh wow…when it rains, it pours, huh?”
Don’t rain on my parade
Parades are so much fun, but if it rains, oh no! Your fun is ruined. This is what this idiom is about. If someone spoils your fun or disappoints you, they are raining on your parade.
“I’m so excited! I can’t believe it! I just heard Bruno Mars is going to come here this summer, and they’re even selling tickets to meet him before the concert starts!!”
“You do realize that they announced that concert a long time ago, so all of the tickets are probably sold out right? And even if you find some, they’re going to be extremely expensive.”
“Oh, don’t rain on my parade!”
To be right as rain
This means to be perfectly healthy and well. For example, a student might stay up too late and come to class very sleepy and unable to concentrate. If they make sure to get a full night’s sleep, they will be right as rain again the next day!
“I felt a little sick last Friday morning, but I took this new medicine my friend brought from Japan and I was right as rain by evening!”
