Rain idioms are a colorful part of the English language . I share 30 rain idioms, providing meanings and examples.
From phrases like “make it rain” to “rain or shine,” these expressions connect everyday experiences to weather phenomena. Each idiom has a unique context and usage, making them relatable and memorable.
Whether you want to describe heavy rain, bad weather, or a sunny outlook, you’ll find the perfect idiom here. This comprehensive guide covers idioms for rain, hard rain, rainy weather, bad weather, and rain and clouds, ensuring a rich linguistic experience.
List of 30 idioms for rain
- Rain check
- Make it rain
- Come rain or shine
- Right as rain
- Raining cats and dogs
- Under the weather
- Rain on someone’s parade
- When it rains, it pours
- It never rains but it pours
- Saving for a rainy day
- Chase rainbows
- Be a rainbow in someone’s cloud
- Cloud on the horizon
- Head in the clouds
- Storm in a teacup
- Stormy relationship
- Every cloud has a silver lining
- Weather the storm\
- Rain or shine
- Cloud nine
- Break the ice
- Throw caution to the wind
- Under a cloud
- Fair-weather friend
- Storm out
- Bolt from the blue
- In the doldrums
- On cloud nine
- Rainy day
- Make hay while the sun shines
Best Idioms for Rain
Rain check
Meaning: Reschedule.
Example: Let’s take a rain check on dinner tonight.

Make it rain
Meaning: Produce a lot of money.
Example: The company’s new product made it rain.
Come rain or shine
Meaning: No matter what.
Example: I will support you come rain or shine.
Right as rain
Meaning: Perfectly fine.
Example: After the surgery, he felt right as rain.
Funny Idioms for Rain
Raining cats and dogs
Meaning: Raining very heavily.
Example: It’s raining cats and dogs outside.
Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling ill.
Example: She’s been under the weather all week.
Rain on someone’s parade
Meaning: Spoil someone’s plans.
Example: Don’t rain on my parade by cancelling the trip.
When it rains, it pours
Meaning: Problems come together.
Example: He lost his job and his car broke down – when it rains, it pours.
Best Idioms for Raining Hard
It never rains but it pours
Meaning: Problems come together.
Example: After months of drought, it never rains but it pours.
Saving for a rainy day
Meaning: Saving for future needs.
Example: I’m saving for a rainy day.
Chase rainbows
Meaning: Pursue unrealistic goals.
Example: Stop chasing rainbows and get a real job.
Be a rainbow in someone’s cloud
Meaning: Be a source of joy.
Example: Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.
Cloud on the horizon
Meaning: Potential trouble.
Example: The only cloud on the horizon is the budget deficit.
Head in the clouds
Meaning: Daydreaming.
Example: He always has his head in the clouds during meetings.
Storm in a teacup
Meaning: Exaggerate a small problem.
Example: Their argument was just a storm in a teacup.
Stormy relationship
Meaning: Turbulent relationship.
Example: They have a stormy relationship.
Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: There’s a positive side.
Example: Every cloud has a silver lining, you’ll find a new job soon.
Weather the storm
Meaning: Survive difficulties.
Example: They managed to weather the storm.
Idioms for Rainy Weather
Rain or shine
Meaning: In any weather.
Example: We’ll meet tomorrow, rain or shine.
Cloud nine
Meaning: Extremely happy.
Example: She’s been on cloud nine since the engagement.
Break the ice
Meaning: Initiate conversation.
Example: He told a joke to break the ice.
Throw caution to the wind
Meaning: Take a risk.
Example: She threw caution to the wind and invested all her savings.
Idioms for Bad Weather
Under a cloud
Meaning: Suspicious or discredited.
Example: He left the company under a cloud.
Fair-weather friend
Meaning: Supportive only in good times.
Example: He proved to be a fair-weather friend.
Storm out
Meaning: Leave angrily.
Example: She stormed out of the meeting.
Bolt from the blue
Meaning: Sudden and unexpected event.
Example: The news of his resignation came as a bolt from the blue.
Idioms for Rain and Clouds
In the doldrums
Meaning: Inactive, depressed.
Example: The company has been in the doldrums since the market crash.
On cloud nine
Meaning: Extremely happy.
Example: She’s been on cloud nine since the engagement.
Rainy day
Meaning: Future difficult times.
Example: I’m saving money for a rainy day.
Make hay while the sun shines
Meaning: Take advantage of good conditions.
Example: He decided to make hay while the sun shines and took the job offer.
What are some common rain idioms?
Some common rain idioms include “rain check,” “make it rain,” “come rain or shine,” and “right as rain.” These idioms are used in everyday language to convey rescheduling, generating money, persistence, and well-being.
How do rain idioms enhance language?
Rain idioms add color and relatability to language. For example, saying “raining cats and dogs” vividly describes heavy rain. Using idioms like “under the weather” makes expressions more engaging and understandable.
Can rain idioms be used in different contexts?
Yes, rain idioms are versatile and can be used in various contexts. For instance, “stormy relationship” can describe turbulent personal interactions, while “saving for a rainy day” refers to financial planning.