English forecast

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

Image: Kir Simakov

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.

Image: Greg Pappas

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.

Image: Shashank Sahay

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.

Image: stelios theofilou

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.

Image: Dave Hoefler

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.

Image: Lili Kovac

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.

Image: Geetanjal Khanna

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.

Image: Lakindu Sepala

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.

Image: Lydia Norstad

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.

Image: Duncan Kidd

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.

Image: Sam McNamara

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.

Image: Kumiko SHIMIZU

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."

Stop! You’ve been using these 11 objects the wrong way

Image: Diana Polekhina

We use countless objects daily without questioning their design, yet many have hidden features or were meant for entirely different purposes. From kitchen tools to bananas, here are 11 everyday items you might be using all wrong—or that at least have surprising secrets built in.

Image: Anastasia Nikitina

Yes, toothpaste was always intended to clean and polish teeth, but its mild abrasives make it effective for cleaning jewelry, removing stains from clothing, and even defogging mirrors.

Interestingly, the first toothpaste-like substance dates back to ancient Egypt, where a blend of pumice and vinegar was used for oral care. Modern toothpaste, which includes ingredients like baking soda—another household staple—explains why it’s so effective on surfaces beyond just teeth.

Image: Markus Winkler

That hole in your pasta spoon isn’t just for draining water; it can also help measure a perfect portion of dry spaghetti!

A single serving of spaghetti is about the amount that fits through the hole. This design prevents cooking too much or too little, though not all pasta spoons have holes large enough for accurate measuring.

Image: engin akyurt

The latch inside gas pump nozzles was originally designed to shut off fuel flow automatically when the tank is full, not to hold the pump open.

Modern pumps use this mechanism as a safety feature, preventing spills and overflows. In some places, using the latch to hold the nozzle open is even illegal due to fire risks.

Image: Karsten Winegeart

Those metal loops on the back of grocery cart seats aren’t just for show—they’re designed to hold plastic bags with fragile items.

Hanging lighter bags here prevents them from being crushed by heavier groceries in the cart, yet few shoppers take advantage of this simple design. So, next time you go shopping, give it a try—it could be a real lifesaver.

Image: Bam Mccarthy

The hole in a soda can tab isn’t just part of the opening mechanism—it can double as a straw holder. Once you pop the can open, turning the tab around aligns the hole perfectly for a straw. This prevents the straw from floating or shifting while drinking.

While this wasn’t the original intent behind the design, it’s a clever and surprisingly convenient way to make use of an otherwise inconsequential design quirk.

Image: Annie Spratt

If you're like me, this has likely been a brain teaser since childhood: What is the blue side of a two-tone eraser for? Popular wisdom says it's for ink removal, but have you ever tried erasing ink with that side? It just completely obliterates the paper.

Well, it turns out the blue side of a two-tone eraser was actually designed for use on heavier paper, not for removing ink.

Image: Matúš Kameniar

The small bumps on the ‘F’ and ‘J’ keys exist to help typists find their hand placement without looking.

These tactile guides help your fingers find their way back to the home row, enabling faster and more efficient typing. Even if you're not a professional typist, you can rely on this feature to improve both speed and accuracy while writing.

Image: Monika Guzikowska

Ever watched a monkey peel a banana? You might be in for a surprise, because it turns out the easiest way to peel a banana is from the bottom, not the stem.

Monkeys naturally pinch the bottom of the banana and pull, avoiding the struggle of breaking the tough stem. This method also reduces the risk of squishing the fruit inside.

Image: Brett Jordan

The small hole at the end of a measuring tape is designed to hook onto nails or screws for one-person measurements. This feature provides a more stable grip when measuring long distances without needing an extra set of hands.

Also, the serrated edge on some tapes doubles as a tool for marking surfaces. So, next time you don't have a buddy around to help, don’t worry—your measuring tape has you covered!

Image: Andrea Davis

Many people use the drawer under their oven for storage, but it was originally designed as a warming drawer.

This compartment keeps cooked food warm while the rest of the meal finishes, though in some modern models, it may simply be intended for extra storage. Checking your oven’s manual might reveal its true purpose.

Image: Mockup Free

Ever heard someone say you can judge a good wine by the depth of the indentation at the bottom of the bottle? Well, that’s a myth, though it may suggest a better-designed bottle.

The indent at the bottom of a wine bottle, called a punt, helps distribute pressure and maintain structural integrity. Originally designed to support the bottle against carbonation in sparkling wines, it’s now mostly tradition but still improves durability.