Expressions like idioms and proverbs are sayings whose meanings are figurative rather than literal. Such expressions are often peculiar to a language. The English language has many sayings and proverbs that mention the weather in both positive and negative tones. The following sections define some common English expressions that mention the weather.
Positive Weather Expressions
The following expressions that mention the weather figuratively are positive in tone.
- a bolt from the blue – something that happened unexpectedly
- come hell or high water – in any circumstances, come what may
- come rain or shine – in any circumstances, come what may
- the end of the rainbow – where the treasure or end of a quest lies
- to get wind of – to receive information or a hint of, to come to know
- Make hay while the sun shines. – advice to do something at an opportune time
- a ray of sunshine – someone or something that brings great joy
- right as rain – perfect, very good, healthy, correct, factually accurate
- to shed light on something – to make something clearer
- to shine down – to surpass in brilliance
- to shine through – to be transparent
- to shine up to – to try to please, to make oneself pleasant to
- to shine upon – to look favorably upon, to be favorable to
- to shoot the breeze – to chat in a relaxed fashion
- to stem the tide – to make headway against, to slow or stop an increase
- to take a shine to – to take a fancy to, to develop an interest in
- to weather the storm – to reach the end of a very difficult situation without too much harm or damage
Negative Weather Expression
The following expressions that use the weather metaphorically are negative in tone.
- to beat the living daylights out of someone – to beat someone severely
- in broad daylight – during the day with many witnesses
- the calm before the storm – a period of tranquility or stability viewed as a precursor to a time of difficulty, upheaval, frenzied activity, etc.
- to chase rainbows – to try to accomplish something that can never be achieved, to go on a useless quest
- dry spell – a period or time where there is little activity, productivity, low income, etc.
- to have one’s head in the clouds – when someone has unrealistic or impractical ideas
- in a fog – confused, dazed, unaware
- in the clouds – obscure, mystical; fanciful, unreal; above the range of ordinary understanding
- in the dark – uninformed, often intentionally
- in the eye of the storm – to be deeply involved in a difficult or controversial situation
- to rain on someone’s parade – to ruin someone’s plans
- to scare the living daylights out of someone – to scare someone severely
- scattered to the four winds – going in all directions
- seven sheets to the wind – extremely intoxicated, very drunk
- to steal someone’s thunder – to take undue credit or praise for someone else’s work or accomplishment
- to take the shine out of someone or something – to deprive a person or thing of their or its brilliance or pre-eminence; to outshine, surpass
- to throw caution to the wind – to take a risk
- under a cloud – in trouble or difficulties; out of favor
- under the weather – not feeling well
Expressions like idioms and proverbs are peculiar to specific languages. Such sayings have figurative rather than literal meanings. The English expressions that mention the weather are heard commonly in the everyday speech of native English speakers.
