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.
Words like “raining cats and dogs” are exactly the kind of vocabulary our English vocabulary size test measures — find out how many English words you know.
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
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