Like it or not, the weather is a common topic of conversation among native English speakers. One of the best ways to break the ice is to discuss the weather. This is especially true in the United Kingdom, where the weather is notoriously unpredictable, though it is common practise in many other countries as well.

The weather-related idioms and vocabulary in the English language are extensive. Here’s a list of interesting idioms that can be used when discussing the weather in casual conversation 👇🏾

1. Raining cats and dogs🐈🐕

Meaning: when it is raining heavily outside especially during a storm
Sentence: It has been raining cats and dogs since last night.

2. Every cloud has a silver lining🌩️

Meaning: something good can come out of a bad situation
Sentence: You should not be disheartened. Every cloud has a silver lining and you will be able to figure out something.

3. Head in the clouds🌥️

Meaning: being overly-optimistic in unrealistic conditions
Sentence: She must have had her head in the clouds when she made the reservations, because they never heard of us.

4. Snowed under☃️

Meaning: having to deal with a lot of things at once
Sentence: I’m absolutely snowed under with work at the moment.

5. Under the weather🥵

Meaning: feeling unwell
Sentence: I will not be able to attend the meeting today. I’m feeling a bit under the weather.

6. To be a breeze💨

Meaning: easy or requiring little effort
Sentence: I’m not nervous. This exam is going to be a breeze.

7. Calm before the storm⛈️

Meaning: a brief moment of peace or quiet before a busy or difficult period arrives
Sentence: I like to get everything done before the guests arrive and relax for a moment in the calm before the storm.

8. Lightning fast⚡

Meaning: very fast
Sentence: At recess, the boys and girls run lightning fast.

9. Rain on your parade🌧️

Meaning: to ruin your plans
Sentence: I’m sorry to rain on your parade but you’re not allowed to have alcohol on the premises.

10. Weather the storm😮‍💨

Meaning: to get through or survive a difficult time
Sentence: Jake is going through a hard time right now, but he’ll weather the storm.

11. Take a rain check☔

Meaning: claim another chance to do something at a later time
Sentence: Mind if I take a rain check on that invite? I have to work late tonight.

12. Chasing rainbows🌈

Meaning: trying to reach an impossible goal
Sentence: I know you want to become a writer but I think you should stop chasing rainbows and get a professional job.

13. A ray of hope🌅

Meaning: something that makes you feel slightly happier or more hopeful in a difficult situation
Sentence: There is no ray of hope for the foreseeable future.

14. Make hay while the sun shines🌞

Meaning: get your work done while you have everything you need to do it
Sentence: We’ve got a few days off work so lets make hay while the sun shines and do some repairs in the house.

15. Throw caution to the wind🍃

Meaning: to not worry about what might happen
Sentence: I threw caution to the wind and bought the most expensive laptop.

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