Weather Idioms

Here is a list of English idioms that use weather-related words and phrases.

A face like thunder

When you sport a face like thunder you look very angry.

I’m fed up of my boss. He always has a face like thunder.

A fair-weather friend

A fair-weather friend is someone who wouldn’t help you in bad times.

You cannot trust a fair-weather friend.

A snowball’s chance

= very little chance

I don’t think that we have a snowball’s chance of winning this match. (= We have very little chance of winning this match.)

A storm in the teacup

A lot of fuss over a trivial matter

Don’t worry about their opposition to the plan. It’s just a storm in the teacup.

Be a breeze

When something is a breeze, it is very easy.

I never thought that the exam would be a breeze.

Blow hot and cold

To blow hot and cold is to keep changing one’s opinions.

If you don’t stop blowing hot and cold over this issue, we can’t arrive at a decision.

Come rain or shine

= whatever happens

I will be there by 8 o’clock – come rain or shine.

The lull before the storm

A quiet period of time before things get difficult or busy

Save for a rainy day

To save for a rainy day is to put some money aside so that you can use it later.

Don’t spend this extra money. Save it up for a rainy day.

See which way the wind blows

Analyze a situation before doing something

I’m going to see which way the wind blows before rejecting or accepting this offer.

Steal someone’s thunder

To steal someone’s thunder is to get all the praise by doing something better than somebody else.

She stole my thunder by wearing that scarlet red gown to the party.

Take a rain-check

To take a rain-check on something is to postpone it.

Under the weather

When you are under the weather, you are not feeling very well.

I don’t want to go to the party tonight. I’m feeling a bit under the weather.

Weather the storm

To weather the storm is to survive a very difficult situation.

She has weathered many storms in her political career.