phrase🎓 English idiom

raining cats and dogs

raining very heavily

What it means

Raining very heavily. It is an informal, somewhat old-fashioned way to describe a downpour, usually said with mild humour or exaggeration.

Examples

  • Take an umbrella; it's raining cats and dogs out there.
  • We had to cancel the picnic because it was raining cats and dogs.
  • By the time I got home, it was raining cats and dogs.
  • Don't drive yet, wait until it stops raining cats and dogs.

Where it comes from

The phrase appeared in English by the 17th century, used by writers such as Jonathan Swift. Its true origin is uncertain, with various unproven theories ranging from poor drainage to Norse mythology.

Related idioms

#a storm in a teacup#under the weather#every cloud has a silver lining#out of the blue

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