English forecast

Check outside, it's raining cats and dogs! Idioms born from the weather

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Weather shapes more than just the land — it shapes language too! From "under the weather" to "every cloud has a silver lining," weather-inspired idioms reveal centuries of human observation, culture, and storytelling. Here, we explore 12 of the most colorful phrases that use the climate to express emotion, behavior, and fate.

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Originally a maritime expression, sailors used "under the weather" to describe seasickness or being knocked down by bad weather. The phrase eventually broadened to mean generally feeling unwell.

At the time, sickness was often blamed on stormy conditions, as exposure to harsh weather could make one weak. Today, it’s a common way to explain low energy or mild illness without clinical detail.

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This phrase comes from John Milton’s 1634 poem "Comus", highlighting hope even in dark times. It likens clouds to problems, with sunlight peeking as a symbol of opportunity.

The idiom has been widely adopted in English literature and daily conversation. It encourages resilience, suggesting that difficult experiences often carry hidden benefits or lessons within.

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Originating in the early 18th century, playwright John Dennis invented a "thunder machine" for a play. Competitors later stole his idea, prompting Dennis to accuse them of "stealing his thunder."

Today, the idiom means taking credit for someone else’s idea or preempting their achievement.

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Derived from meteorology, this phrase refers to unusually peaceful conditions before a severe storm. As an idiom, the metaphor emphasizes the often deceptive nature of calm periods.

There’s real science behind too! Meteorologists note that real storms are often preceded by a drop in wind and pressure, creating a brief lull before turbulence hits.

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First recorded in the 16th century, this phrase refers to abandoning prudence, likening "caution" to something thrown into unpredictable air currents.

The wind has long symbolized both freedom and risk in language and literature. Certainly, the metaphor’s vivid imagery has helped the phrase endure in English for centuries.

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Originating in 19th-century American baseball, fans received "rain checks" when games were canceled due to weather. It guaranteed admission at a later date.

The phrase later expanded into general use, signaling a polite postponement or decline of an invitation.

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One explanation for the origin of this phrase dates to 17th-century England, where heavy storms often washed unfortunate animals into the streets. Another theory traces it to the Greek kata doxa, meaning "against what’s expected."

Today, it simply exaggerates intense rainfall. Its bizarre imagery has made it one of the most memorable English weather idioms.

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Linked to Irish folklore, rainbows were often thought to hide treasure or symbolize promise. The phrase metaphorically describes the pursuit of something unattainable.

Scientifically, rainbows form when light refracts through water droplets, a precise combination of conditions that makes them relatively rare and fleeting.

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British in origin, the phrase compares intense disputes over trivial matters to a violent storm contained within the confines of a teacup.

Its absurd imagery warns against overreacting and points to how perception can easily magnify objectively minor events.

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This military-inspired idiom compares rapid, forceful success to a sudden storm. It first appeared in the 18th century to describe swift battlefield victories.

The imagery captures the unstoppable force of a fierce stormfront. Today, it is used in politics, entertainment, and business to describe swift, wide-reaching impact or decisive victories.

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Never trust a fair-weather friend… this cautionary phrase compares fickle friendships to sunny weather, thriving only when times are good and disappearing at the first sign of trouble.

First recorded in the 1600s, the idiom warns against unreliable allies and remains common in modern vocabulary.

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This idiom derives from the real phenomenon of lightning appearing from a seemingly clear sky, likening unexpected events to this rare meteorological occurrence.

The earliest recorded use in English dates to the 19th century, and it was often originally phrased as "a bolt out of the blue."

Stay hydrated: 10 reasons why drinking more water will improve your quality of life

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Drinking enough water every day is crucial, and as time goes by, it becomes even more important. Adults over the age of 60, for example, are at increased risk of dehydration due to natural drops in thirst levels and changes in body composition. While everyone's hydration requirements differ depending on their health factors, the WHO recommends consuming about 50-68 ounces (6 to 9 cups) of water daily.

But, do you know what happens to your body when you experience a lack of water? Let’s go over the top 10 benefits of staying hydrated at all times.

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When we forget to drink the recommended amount of water per day, we are likely to suffer from dehydration. This occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in. It is often accompanied by variations in the balance of electrolytes in the body, especially alterations in the concentrations of sodium and potassium.

Your blood is largely composed of H2O. When you don't drink enough water, it becomes concentrated, which can cause an imbalance of these vital minerals,which are key to the proper functioning of your heart. The regulation of blood pressure and heart rate is of great importance, especially because the circulatory system constantly supplies oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the organs in the body.

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Whether you are a competitive athlete or you work at an office, achieving the right fluid balance has a decisive influence on your well-being and daily performance. Dehydration can slow circulation and also affect the oxygen flow to the brain. Water is used by the body to eliminate toxins and waste products it does not need. Lack of fluids can make your heart work harder to pump oxygen throughout your body. All that expended energy can make you feel tired, sluggish, and less focused.

In addition, when approaching a state of dehydration, the body will decrease muscle performance, which causes that feeling of tiredness. Drinking water is essential for our body to function properly all day and throughout all our activities.

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Our body produces heat and our metabolism, when working correctly, is responsible for maintaining a stable temperature. When you're dehydrated, research shows your body stores more heat. This in turn reduces your ability to tolerate high temperatures. When the temperature is too high and environmental conditions don’t help to reduce body heat, it is the evaporation of sweat that regulates the temperature. Only the sweat that evaporates has a cooling effect on our bodies. Drinking plenty of water will help you produce sweat when you're overheated, which will cool your body when needed.

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Your body needs water to digest food properly. If you don't drink enough water throughout the day, you may experience irregular bowel movements, gas, bloating, heartburn, and other discomforts that can affect your quality of life. In fact, drinking water during or after a meal helps the body break down and process food so that you can absorb nutrients.

Remember that increasing your fluid intake can help get things moving in the right direction. Water also softens the stool, which helps prevent constipation. Choose water instead of drinks with a lot of sugar whenever possible. Natural mineral water is especially beneficial; look for products enriched with sodium and magnesium.

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Kidney stones are a common disease, affecting nearly one in 11 people, and if you've ever experienced it, you know how painful they can be. In essence, these stones are clusters of mineral crystals that form in the urinary tract. Proper water intake is an effective and inexpensive measure to increase urine volume, which is believed to help prevent stone formation.

The peak of people with kidney stones occurs more often during the summer season when a lot of water is lost with perspiration. Drinking adequate amounts of water every day can help dilute the concentration of these minerals and reduce the likelihood of stones. Water also helps flush harmful bacteria from the bladder, while preventing urinary tract infections.

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Maintaining healthy skin not only has cosmetic benefits but is also key to better health overall. Water is essential for our skin to look smooth and glowing. The hydrolipidic film is responsible for the velvety appearance of our skin. It covers the outer part of the epidermis, is composed of sweat and oil, and is important for maintaining skin hydration and defending it against external agents. When we are dehydrated this mantle is affected and cannot protect us properly. When the skin is dehydrated it also cracks and looks dull and tight, whereas a hydrated skin is much more elastic and luminous.

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Almost all diets have one thing in common: they agree on the importance of drinking water to lose weight. As we’ve seen, water transports nutrients and oxygen to different parts of the body, but also fills us with energy to perform different activities throughout the day. It can also help boost our metabolism.

Experts say that drinking a glass of water before a meal can help with weight control. The stomach has nerves that detect stretching and send signals to the brain that it is time to stop eating. Because it provides a feeling of satiety, water can help you feel full between meals.

Also, sometimes we head to the kitchen for a snack when we're actually thirsty instead of hungry. If this is the case, drinking water can prevent us from consuming unnecessary calories and help us manage our weight better.

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Even mild dehydration —fluid loss of as little as 2%— can affect your mood, concentration, and memory. This is especially important for older adults who are at greater risk of dehydration and impaired cognitive function. In fact, studies show that dehydration causes a 15% drop in the ability to concentrate and a 10% decrease in short-term memory.

Therefore, in situations where intense mental effort is required, it is recommended to drink water frequently. Don’t wait until you are thirsty, as being thirsty is a symptom that you are already starting to become dehydrated. It is a good idea to take a bottle of mineral water with you when you go out so that you can hydrate at any time and place.

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Even mild fluid loss can cause the brain to shrink and separate from the skull, leading to headaches and migraines in some people. One of the risks of lack of water is that it produces vasodilation, that is, the blood vessels dilate and make headaches worse. The brain is highly sensitive to electrolyte alterations and to the lack of water, therefore, when the person is dehydrated, arteries and nerves will be too.

Staying consistently well-hydrated can help control this discomfort. If a person suffers regularly from this kind of pain, the recommendation is to stay well hydrated to prevent triggering a vascular or tension headache. In addition, drinking water might reduce the intake of medications.

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The cartilage in our joints contains about 80% water. Therefore, drinking water is the easiest way to maintain joints and tendons in perfect condition. Staying hydrated helps keep your joints well lubricated, reducing friction and preventing less aches and pains. On the contrary, long-term dehydration can reduce the shock absorption capacity of joints, leading to different bone-related pathologies.

Proper hydration will facilitate greater mobility and a better predisposition to exercise, giving more life and youth to your tissues.