13 Rain Idioms and Phrases in English

Why Learn Rain Idioms in English?

Idioms are an important part of natural English. Their meanings are not always obvious from the individual words, so simply translating them word for word can be confusing for English learners.

Rain provides a particularly interesting source of English expressions. Sometimes rain idioms describe the weather literally, while in other expressions rain represents problems, difficult times, change or an unexpected situation.

Learning these expressions will help you recognise common phrases when native speakers use them and give you more ways to express yourself in everyday English.

In this guide, you'll learn:

• 13 common and useful rain idioms and phrases
• The meaning of each expression in simple English
• Natural example sentences
• Different ways rain idioms are used in everyday communication
• Useful expressions for weather, problems, money, business and social situations

13 Rain Idioms & Phrases in English: Meanings & Examples

Let's explore these rain idioms in English in detail. They are organised into themes so you can see how rain-related expressions are used to talk about weather, everyday life, difficult situations, optimism, money, business and social situations.

Rain Idioms About Weather and Everyday Life

1. It's Raining Cats and Dogs

Meaning: This idiom is used to say that it is raining very heavily.

It is one of the best-known English idioms about rain. Although the expression mentions cats and dogs, it has nothing to do with animals actually falling from the sky.

Examples:

I can't go now because it's raining cats and dogs.

She was going to go shopping, but it suddenly started raining cats and dogs, so she stayed home.

Keep reading: Weather Idioms in English

2. Take a Rain Check

Meaning: To decline an invitation, offer or plan for now while suggesting that you may accept or do it at a later time.

This is a very useful expression in everyday English. You can use it when you cannot do something now but would like to do it another time.

Examples:

I'm afraid I can't come to dinner tonight. Can I take a rain check?

He says he would like to take a rain check and do it in March.

3. Come Rain or Shine

Meaning: Whatever happens; regardless of the circumstances.

The expression shows determination or a promise to continue doing something despite difficulties, bad weather or unexpected problems.

Examples:

I'll always be there for you, come rain or shine.

He runs ten kilometres every morning, come rain or shine.

4. Right as Rain

Meaning: To feel healthy, well or completely recovered after being ill or unwell.

This expression is often used to reassure someone that a person is feeling fine again.

Examples:

She was very ill, but she is right as rain now.

After a few days of rest, he'll be right as rain again.

Rain Idioms About Hardship, Resilience and Optimism

Rain is often used metaphorically in English to represent difficult experiences or challenging periods in life. These expressions remind us that problems are sometimes unavoidable and that better times may eventually follow.

5. It Never Rains but It Pours

Meaning: When one bad thing happens, several other bad things seem to happen at the same time.

This is a useful idiom for describing a series of unfortunate events. You may also hear the shorter version “when it rains, it pours”, which expresses the same idea.

Examples:

The team not only lost the game, but four of its best players were also injured. It never rains but it pours.

My car broke down, so I took my husband's car to work and ended up with a flat tyre. It never rains but it pours.

6. April Showers Bring May Flowers

Meaning: Difficult or unpleasant times can eventually lead to something positive or better.

This expression is often used to encourage someone who is going through a difficult period. It suggests that hardship does not necessarily last forever.

Examples:

The first year of the business was rough, but April showers bring May flowers.

Don't be discouraged by this setback — April showers bring May flowers.

Keep reading: Summer Idioms and Phrases in English

7. Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall

Meaning: Everyone experiences hardship, sadness or difficulties at some point in life.

Here, “rain” is used metaphorically to represent unpleasant or difficult experiences.

Examples:

I know the results were disappointing, but into each life some rain must fall.

Losing a close match is never easy, yet into each life some rain must fall.

8. Chase the Rain Away

Meaning: To comfort someone, improve their mood or bring happiness during a sad or difficult time.

In this expression, “rain” represents sadness or gloomy feelings. To chase the rain away means to replace those feelings with something more positive.

Examples:

Her encouraging message helped chase the rain away after a stressful week.

He always knows how to chase the rain away when his friends are feeling low.

Rain Idioms About Money, Business and Preparation

Some rain-related English expressions are commonly used when talking about money, business, success and preparing for future difficulties.

9. For a Rainy Day

Meaning: For a future time when something will be needed, especially during a difficult or unexpected situation.

The phrase is particularly common when talking about saving money. If you save something for a rainy day, you keep it available for a future emergency or difficult period.

Examples:

I'll put the rest in the bank for a rainy day.

She had saved some money for a rainy day.

You'll also hear the expression “save it for a rainy day”, especially when talking about saving money or keeping something for future use.

Keep reading: 20 Money Idioms in English: Meanings & Examples

10. Rainmaker

Meaning: A person who brings in a lot of business, clients, money or opportunities and helps an organisation become successful.

A rainmaker is particularly associated with business and professional contexts. The word is often used for someone whose ability to attract valuable clients or generate business makes them extremely important to an organisation.

Examples:

She is a senior partner and top rainmaker at a famous law firm.

Their rival firm had several rainmakers who could attract major clients.

Related learning: 25 Common Business English Idioms & Phrases

11. Predicting Rain Doesn't Count, Building Arks Does

Meaning: Talking about a possible problem is not enough; taking practical action and preparing for it are more important.

This expression is particularly useful when discussing leadership, planning, business and problem-solving. It emphasises the importance of action rather than simply predicting what might happen.

Examples:

Warning the team about a possible delay is fine, but predicting rain doesn't count, building arks does — we need a backup plan.

Investors respect leaders who act: predicting rain doesn't count, building arks does.

Rain Idioms About Personality and Social Situations

Rain also appears in English expressions used to describe people's behaviour, reactions and social situations. These phrases can be especially useful in everyday conversations.

12. Rain on Someone's Parade

Meaning: To spoil someone's plans, excitement, happiness or enjoyment by saying or doing something negative.

The expression is often used when someone is enjoying a positive moment and another person introduces disappointing news or an unwanted objection.

Examples:

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I have some bad news.

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

13. Not Know Enough to Come In Out of the Rain

Meaning: To be foolish, careless or lacking basic common sense.

This is a humorous expression used to suggest that someone is so lacking in practical sense that they would not even know to seek shelter from the rain.

Examples:

He left his laptop on the train — that man doesn't know enough to come in out of the rain.

Some people say the new intern doesn't know enough to come in out of the rain, but he's still learning.

Keep reading: 17 English Idioms Describing Personality & Character

Quick Guide to These Rain Idioms

Here's a quick review of the 13 rain idioms and phrases covered in this article:

Rain idiom or phrase	Simple meaning
It's raining cats and dogs	It is raining very heavily.
Take a rain check	Accept or do something at a later time.
Come rain or shine	Whatever happens; regardless of circumstances.
Right as rain	Healthy or feeling well again.
It never rains but it pours	Several bad things happen at once.
April showers bring May flowers	Difficult times can lead to better times.
Into each life some rain must fall	Everyone experiences difficulties.
Chase the rain away	Comfort someone or improve their mood.
For a rainy day	For a future time of need.
Rainmaker	A person who generates business or success.
Predicting rain doesn't count, building arks does	Action and preparation matter more than prediction.
Rain on someone's parade	Spoil someone's plans or happiness.
Not know enough to come in out of the rain	Be foolish or lack common sense.

How to Use Rain Idioms Naturally

Learning an idiom is more useful when you understand when and how to use it. Don't try to use every new expression immediately. Instead, notice how native speakers use it and practise it in a sentence of your own.

For example, if a friend invites you somewhere but you are busy today, you could say, “Can I take a rain check?” If several unfortunate things happen one after another, “It never rains but it pours” would be a natural choice.

For vocabulary building, try writing one original sentence for each rain idiom. This will help you remember both the meaning and the context in which the expression is normally used.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rain Idioms

What is the most common idiom about rain?

“It's raining cats and dogs” is one of the best-known rain idioms in English. It is used to describe very heavy rain.

What does “take a rain check” mean?

“Take a rain check” means to decline an invitation, offer or plan for now while suggesting that you may accept or do it at a later time.

What does “for a rainy day” mean?

“For a rainy day” means keeping money, resources or something useful for a future time when it may be needed, especially during a difficult or unexpected situation.

What does “come rain or shine” mean?

“Come rain or shine” means whatever happens or regardless of the circumstances. It is often used to show determination or commitment.

What does “it never rains but it pours” mean?

It means that when one bad thing happens, several other bad things often seem to happen at the same time.

Are rain idioms only about the weather?

No. Some rain expressions describe literal weather, but many rain idioms in English are used metaphorically to talk about hardship, money, preparation, business, happiness and social situations.

What is a “rainmaker” in business?

A “rainmaker” is a person who brings in a significant amount of business, clients, money or opportunities and helps an organisation become successful.

Conclusion: Learn More English Idioms

Rain appears in many memorable English expressions, and these 13 rain idioms and phrases show just how creative the English language can be. From it's raining cats and dogs and take a rain check to come rain or shine and rain on someone's parade, each expression gives you another useful way to understand and communicate in English.

The best way to remember new idioms is to use them. Choose two or three expressions from this list and try writing your own sentences with them. With regular practice, these phrases will become easier to recognise and use naturally.

Which of these rain idioms was new to you? Try using one in a sentence in the comments below, and then continue building your vocabulary with 50 Common English Idioms for Daily Conversation.