Weather plays a big role not just in our day-to-day plans but also in how we describe emotions, moods, and moments in life. Idioms about weather are rich with imagery and meaning, making our conversations more vivid, thoughtful, and human. Whether you’re navigating sunny days or stormy nights—literally or metaphorically—this list of 30 weather-related idioms will help you express yourself with more warmth, care, and intention.
These idioms aren’t just about clouds and sunshine—they’re about connection, resilience, and understanding. As someone who has worked with language for years, I’ve found that idioms like these not only brighten our speech but also help us connect on a deeper emotional level. Let’s dive in, and maybe you’ll find a few that speak to your current season of life.
1. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling unwell or sick.
In a sentence: “I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather lately, so I’m taking it easy.”
Best use: When someone is not feeling well physically or emotionally.
Not to use: For serious illnesses or injuries.
Other ways to say it: Feeling off, not 100%, out of sorts.
2. Come rain or shine
Meaning: No matter what happens.
In a sentence: “She shows up for her morning walk come rain or shine.”
Best use: To express reliability or commitment.
Not to use: In situations needing flexibility.
Other ways to say it: No matter what, through thick and thin.
3. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: There is hope even in bad situations.
In a sentence: “Losing that job was tough, but every cloud has a silver lining—I ended up in a better role.”
Best use: To comfort or encourage.
Not to use: When someone needs space to feel their sadness.
Other ways to say it: Blessing in disguise, light at the end of the tunnel.
4. Weather the storm
Meaning: To survive a difficult situation.
In a sentence: “They managed to weather the storm during the company’s layoffs.”
Best use: When someone shows strength through adversity.
Not to use: For quick or easy problems.
Other ways to say it: Get through tough times, hold on.
5. A storm is brewing
Meaning: Trouble is coming.
In a sentence: “Tensions were rising—it felt like a storm was brewing.”
Best use: To describe emotional or situational buildup.
Not to use: For minor disagreements.
Other ways to say it: Trouble ahead, something’s off.
6. On cloud nine
Meaning: Extremely happy.
In a sentence: “After the proposal, she was on cloud nine for days.”
Best use: When someone is filled with joy.
Not to use: For calm, content feelings.
Other ways to say it: Over the moon, ecstatic.
7. Chasing rainbows
Meaning: Pursuing unrealistic dreams.
In a sentence: “He’s chasing rainbows if he thinks he can retire at 30 without saving.”
Best use: As a gentle caution.
Not to use: To dismiss someone’s passion harshly.
Other ways to say it: Dreaming big, building castles in the air.
8. Snowed under
Meaning: Overwhelmed with work or tasks.
In a sentence: “I’ve been snowed under with emails lately.”
Best use: For workload or obligations.
Not to use: For emotional stress alone.
Other ways to say it: Swamped, buried in work.
9. Break the ice
Meaning: To ease tension or start a conversation.
In a sentence: “She told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.”
Best use: In social or work gatherings.
Not to use: In serious or somber situations.
Other ways to say it: Warm up the room, open up.
10. Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: Take attention from someone else’s achievement.
In a sentence: “He stole her thunder by announcing his news right after hers.”
Best use: When someone unintentionally or intentionally overshadows another.
Not to use: When it’s not about recognition.
Other ways to say it: Upstage, overshadow.
11. It never rains but it pours
Meaning: Problems often come all at once.
In a sentence: “First the car broke down, then the roof leaked—it never rains but it pours.”
Best use: To describe overwhelming times.
Not to use: For isolated events.
Other ways to say it: When it rains, it pours; bad luck in bunches.
12. Calm before the storm
Meaning: A peaceful time before chaos.
In a sentence: “The house was silent—the calm before the storm.”
Best use: Before big changes or challenges.
Not to use: When things are truly settled.
Other ways to say it: Silence before the noise, moment of peace.
13. Storm in a teacup
Meaning: An overreaction to a small problem.
In a sentence: “Their argument over the TV was a storm in a teacup.”
Best use: For trivial conflicts.
Not to use: When serious emotions are involved.
Other ways to say it: Mountain out of a molehill, making a fuss.
14. Throw caution to the wind
Meaning: To act recklessly or take a risk.
In a sentence: “He threw caution to the wind and booked the trip.”
Best use: For bold or daring choices.
Not to use: When advising responsibility.
Other ways to say it: Go for it, take the leap.
15. In a fog
Meaning: Confused or unclear.
In a sentence: “I’ve been in a fog since that meeting—it was all so vague.”
Best use: For mental or emotional confusion.
Not to use: For clear-cut decisions.
Other ways to say it: In a haze, unclear.
16. Lightning fast
Meaning: Extremely quick.
In a sentence: “Her response was lightning fast.”
Best use: To compliment speed.
Not to use: When precision is more important than speed.
Other ways to say it: Rapid, swift.
17. Take a rain check
Meaning: Postpone something.
In a sentence: “Can I take a rain check on lunch today?”
Best use: For polite rescheduling.
Not to use: When declining permanently.
Other ways to say it: Maybe later, another time.
18. Head in the clouds
Meaning: Daydreaming or not grounded.
In a sentence: “He’s always got his head in the clouds during meetings.”
Best use: To describe dreamy or unfocused people.
Not to use: As an insult.
Other ways to say it: Spaced out, lost in thought.
19. Like greased lightning
Meaning: Extremely fast.
In a sentence: “She was out the door like greased lightning.”
Best use: For dramatic effect.
Not to use: In formal writing.
Other ways to say it: Like a flash, in a blink.
20. A face like thunder
Meaning: Someone looks very angry.
In a sentence: “He walked in with a face like thunder—you could feel the tension.”
Best use: To describe visible anger.
Not to use: For someone who’s quietly upset.
Other ways to say it: Stormy expression, dark mood.
21. Save for a rainy day
Meaning: Keep something for future needs.
In a sentence: “I’m putting some money aside to save for a rainy day.”
Best use: Financial or emotional preparation.
Not to use: For spending impulsively.
Other ways to say it: Prepare for tough times, set aside.
22. Break like the weather
Meaning: To suddenly change (often moods).
In a sentence: “His mood broke like the weather—sunny one moment, stormy the next.”
Best use: For quick emotional changes.
Not to use: For stable personalities.
Other ways to say it: Mood swing, emotional rollercoaster.
23. Dry spell
Meaning: A period of little activity or success.
In a sentence: “She’s had a dry spell with writing but it’ll pass.”
Best use: To describe creative or emotional slumps.
Not to use: For permanent loss.
Other ways to say it: Creative block, lull.
24. Blow hot and cold
Meaning: Be inconsistent.
In a sentence: “He blows hot and cold—it’s hard to know what he wants.”
Best use: For unclear intentions or feelings.
Not to use: When clarity is present.
Other ways to say it: Mixed signals, wishy-washy.
25. A fair-weather friend
Meaning: Only around during good times.
In a sentence: “Turns out he was just a fair-weather friend.”
Best use: When someone disappears during hardship.
Not to use: For new friendships.
Other ways to say it: Not dependable, situational friend.
26. Stormy relationship
Meaning: A relationship full of conflict.
In a sentence: “They’ve had a stormy relationship for years.”
Best use: To describe emotional ups and downs.
Not to use: For peaceful connections.
Other ways to say it: Rocky relationship, emotional rollercoaster.
27. Throw shade
Meaning: To subtly insult.
In a sentence: “She threw shade with that backhanded compliment.”
Best use: For subtle negativity.
Not to use: For open arguments.
Other ways to say it: Snub, slight.
28. Freeze out
Meaning: To ignore someone intentionally.
In a sentence: “They froze him out after the disagreement.”
Best use: In group dynamics.
Not to use: For accidental silence.
Other ways to say it: Give the cold shoulder, ostracize.
29. Hot air
Meaning: Empty talk.
In a sentence: “His promises were just hot air.”
Best use: For overpromising and underdelivering.
Not to use: When someone’s genuinely trying.
Other ways to say it: All talk, no action.
30. In the heat of the moment
Meaning: Acting impulsively due to emotions.
In a sentence: “I said things I didn’t mean in the heat of the moment.”
Best use: To explain unintentional behavior.
Not to use: To excuse repeated patterns.
Other ways to say it: Caught up, emotionally charged.
FAQs
1. What is an idiom and why use weather idioms?
An idiom is a common phrase with a meaning different from its literal words. Weather idioms add imagery and depth to everyday language.
2. Are these idioms still used in modern conversation?
Yes! They’re timeless and still widely used across casual and professional settings.
3. Can I use these idioms in writing too?
Absolutely. They’re great for blogs, essays, stories—anywhere you want a touch of vivid, human expression.
4. How do idioms improve communication?
They help us express complex emotions and ideas in a relatable, creative way, making language more empathetic and memorable.
5. Is it okay to explain an idiom when using it with someone unfamiliar with it?
Definitely! That builds connection and helps others learn—language grows through sharing.
Conclusion
Weather idioms do more than describe the skies—they help us articulate the storms, sunshine, and soft drizzles of our hearts. These expressions make language feel more alive, more emotive, and more human. Whether you’re comforting a friend or expressing your own mood, these idioms can offer the words you didn’t even know you needed. I’ve seen firsthand how a single thoughtful phrase can shift a conversation—and I hope this list brings that kind of warmth into your world too.
So next time life feels a little cloudy or you’re basking in joy—reach for the language of weather. You’ll be surprised how much it reflects what’s inside.
