Rain Idioms: 26 useful rain Idioms
Rain idioms are a deluge of linguistic expressions that metaphorically capture various emotions and situations. From “it’s raining cats and dogs” to “saving for a rainy day,” these idioms immerse us in a world where rain becomes a canvas for vivid descriptions and life lessons. Explore the downpour of creativity behind rain-related idioms and discover how they bring language to life.

Types of Rain Idioms
Rain cats and dogs
Save it for a rainy day
Rain delay
Come rain or shine
Like a duck to water
Rain on someone’s roof
Rain check on life
Under the weather
Waiting for the storm to pass
Rainbow in the sky
Dance in the rain
Rainy day person
Rain on your parade
A drop in the bucket
Rainforest mind
Rain check
Rain of blows
Rainbow after the rain
Under the same umbrella
The calm before the storm
Rain of tears
Rainbow nation
Singing in the rain
Fair-weather friend
Rain or shine, we play
Rain or snow or sleet or hail
Types of Rain Idioms with Meaning and Examples
Rain cats and dogs
Meaning: To rain very heavily.
Sentences:
- I couldn’t go out for my morning jog because it was raining cats and dogs.
- Don’t forget your umbrella, it looks like it’s going to rain cats and dogs later.
Save it for a rainy day
Meaning: To save something for future use, especially during difficult times or unforeseen circumstances.
Sentences:
- I always make sure to save some money for a rainy day in case of emergencies.
- She kept some extra food in the pantry to save for a rainy day when unexpected guests visit.
Come rain or shine
Meaning: Regardless of the circumstances or conditions.
Sentences:
- I promised to attend the wedding, come rain or shine, because my best friend is getting married.
Like a duck to water
Meaning: To adapt or adjust quickly and easily to a new situation or environment.
Sentences:
- She had never cooked before, but she took to it like a duck to water and prepared a delicious meal.
- He was hesitant to try the new sport at first, but he took to it like a duck to water and became proficient in no time.
Under the weather
Meaning: To feel unwell or sick.
Sentences:
- I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I’m going to stay home and rest.
- He didn’t perform well in the game as he was playing under the weather due to a cold.
Waiting for the storm to pass
Meaning: To patiently endure a difficult or challenging situation until it resolves.
Sentences:
- The team is going through a rough patch, but they are staying strong and waiting for the storm to pass.
- She’s dealing with a personal issue and is just waiting for the storm to pass before making any decisions.
Rainbow in the sky
Meaning: A positive outcome or result after a difficult or challenging situation.
Sentences:
- After months of hard work, she finally got the promotion she deserved – a rainbow in the sky.
- They faced many obstacles during their project, but in the end, the successful completion was a rainbow in the sky.
Dance in the rain
Meaning: To embrace and enjoy life, even during challenging or difficult times.
Sentences:
- Despite facing financial difficulties, she learned to dance in the rain and find joy in simple pleasures.
- He lost his job, but instead of dwelling on the negative, he decided to dance in the rain and explore new opportunities.
Rainy day person
Meaning: Someone who is prepared or cautious about future uncertainties or difficult situations.
Sentence:
- She keeps a well-stocked pantry and emergency supplies in case of unforeseen situations, as she’s a rainy day person.
Rain on your parade
Meaning: To spoil someone’s mood or enthusiasm.
Sentences:
- She was excited about her upcoming vacation, but the flight cancellation rained on her parade.
- They had planned a picnic, but the sudden downpour rained on their parade and they had to cancel the outing.
A drop in the bucket
Meaning: A small or insignificant amount compared to what is needed or expected.
Sentences:
- The amount they donated was just a drop in the bucket compared to the overall fundraising goal.
- She thought her savings would be enough for the trip, but it turned out to be just a drop in the bucket of the total expenses.
Rainforest mind
Meaning: A mind that is rich and diverse in thoughts, ideas, and creativity.
Sentences:
- She has a rainforest mind, always coming up with innovative solutions to problems.
Rain check
Meaning: To postpone or reschedule a plan or invitation for a later time.
Sentences:
- He couldn’t make it to the party, so he asked for a rain check and promised to attend the next one.
- Due to unforeseen circumstances, they had to take a rain check on their vacation plans.
Rain on someone’s roof
Meaning: To criticize or complain about someone or something.
Sentences:
- She didn’t appreciate her colleague raining on her roof during the team meeting.
Rain check on life
Meaning: To take a break or pause from the usual routine or responsibilities.
Sentences:
- The stress was overwhelming, so she took a rain check on life and spent a day pampering herself at the spa.
Rain of blows
Meaning: A sudden and heavy attack or criticism.
Sentences:
- The politician faced a rain of blows from the opposition during the debate.
- The company’s stock price plummeted, and the CEO faced a rain of blows from the shareholders.
Rain delay
Meaning: A postponement or interruption of an event or activity due to rain or bad weather.
Sentences:
- The baseball game had a rain delay of two hours before it could resume.
- The outdoor concert experienced a rain delay, and the organizers had to rearrange the schedule.
Rainbow after the rain
Meaning: A positive outcome or reward after enduring a difficult or challenging situation.
Sentences:
- She went through a tough period at work, but a promotion was her rainbow after the rain.
- The team faced setbacks in the project, but their successful completion was their rainbow after the rain.
Under the same umbrella
Meaning: Sharing a common goal or interest; being in the same situation or facing the same challenges.
Sentences:
- Despite our differences, we are all working under the same umbrella of achieving success.
The calm before the storm
Meaning: A peaceful period before a challenging or difficult situation arises.
Sentences:
- The office was quiet, but everyone knew it was just the calm before the storm of the upcoming deadline.
- The family enjoyed a peaceful vacation, but they were aware it was the calm before the storm of busy work schedules.
Rain of tears
Meaning: Crying intensely or shedding tears uncontrollably.
Sentences:
- The movie was so touching that it left many viewers in a rain of tears.
- He was overwhelmed with grief and had a rain of tears during the funeral ceremony.
Rainbow nation
Meaning: A diverse and multicultural society that embraces and celebrates differences.
Sentences:
- South Africa is often referred to as the rainbow nation due to its diverse population and cultures.
Singing in the rain
Meaning: To be happy or cheerful despite difficult circumstances.
Sentences:
- Even though she had a rough day at work, she was singing in the rain during her evening walk.
- The team lost the game, but they were still singing in the rain because they gave their best effort.
Fair-weather friend
Meaning: A person who is only supportive or reliable during good times or when it is convenient for them.
Sentences:
- He only calls when he needs a favor, proving that he is just a fair-weather friend.
- The team member was absent during the tough times, revealing that he was just a fair-weather friend.
Rain or shine, we play
Meaning: Determination or commitment to continue with a plan or activity regardless of challenges or obstacles.
Sentences:
- The soccer team’s motto is “Rain or shine, we play” to emphasize their dedication to the sport.
- The outdoor concert was held as scheduled despite the rain, following the motto “Rain or shine, we play.”