Many students want their English to sound more natural. Using idioms is a great way to do that!

The weather is an everyday topic of conversation. There are a number of idioms related to the weather, which can be used in everyday speech too. Below are some common ones.

1. Under the weather

Meaning: Slightly unwell or not your normal self.

Are you feeling a bit under the weather? You've been looking a bit tired and ill since you arrived this morning.

2. Rain on someone's parade

Meaning: to spoil someone's plans or pleasure.

I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but you're not allowed to have alcohol on the premises.

3. Every cloud has a silver lining

Meaning: this idiom is used to emphasise that every difficult or unpleasant situation has an advantage.

When I lost my job three years ago, I felt so depressed, but it’s true that every cloud has a silver lining. I started my own business and have been happy and successful ever since!

4. Have your head in the clouds

Meaning: to be out of touch with reality; to daydream.

Daisy always has her head in the clouds, dreaming about being famous, instead of looking for a proper job!

5. A storm in a teacup

Meaning: a lot of unnecessary anger and worry about something considered to be a trivial matter.

I don’t think this flu scare is serious. It’s a storm in a teacup.

6. Get wind of something

Meaning: to find out a piece of information which isn’t common knowledge, especially when it has been a secret.

We have a crisis on our hands and don’t want the press to get wind of it!

7. It never rains but it pours

Meaning: when one bad thing happens, followed by a lot of other bad things that make a negative situation worse.

First of all, the car broke down, then the kitchen set on fire and now Mike's had an accident! It never rains but it pours!

8. Blow hot and cold

Meaning: when you keep changing your mind about something.

John keeps blowing hot and cold about whether to get married or not.

9. Steal someone’s thunder

Meaning: take success, praise or attention away from someone.

I told my friends that I’d got engaged, but then my best friend stole my thunder by announcing she was pregnant!

10. Take a rain check

Meaning: used to cancel an arrangement, but with the intention of re-arranging at a later date (although you don’t usually say when).

Do you mind if I take a rain check on dinner? I have to work late tonight.

11. Be snowed under

Meaning: when you have too much to do; exceptionally busy; overworked.

I was so snowed under at work today that I didn't even have time for lunch!

12. Hot under the collar

Meaning: embarrassed or angry about something.

When I suggested he was mistaken he got rather hot under the collar.

Please comment if you know any other weather related idioms 🙂 .