I’m here to brighten up your day with this enlightening English lesson on weather idioms. You might not have the foggiest about about of the phrases I’m going to teach you today but together we can throw caution to the wind and weather the storm. If you don’t have time right to practise these phrases now, don’t worry you can save them for a rainy day or use them to break the ice sometime.

We have countless idioms in the English language, and the British also love to chat about the weather so let’s combine the two and learn the most commonly used weather-related idioms. There are hot weather idioms, idioms with cloud, idioms for heavy rain, sun idioms…. we also have many rainy day expressions and weather forecast phrases. 

The 10 idioms below are phrases that most Native speakers will use often and without much thought.  As Native English speakers use idioms as part of their normal language, learning to use idioms confidently and appropriately will help you to sound more natural.

Weather Idiom #1: To brighten up

To brighten up means to become more cheerful. ‘Brighten up’ is a separable phrasal verb, which means you can put an object in the middle of those two words which is being ‘brightened up’. For example: “Let’s brighten this room up”.

Weather Idiom #2: To take a shine to

To take a shine to something means to develop a liking for it.
“Phillip has taken a shine to Yorkshire tea, over Tetley.”

Weather Idiom #3: To chase rainbows

To chase rainbows means to pursue something that is impossible or very unlikely.
“Georgia wants to be a famous singer but with that voice, she’s chasing rainbows.”

Weather Idiom #4: To save for a rainy day

To save something for a rainy day means to keep it aside for a time when it might be needed in the future.
“I won some money on the lottery so I’m going to save it for a rainy day.”

Weather Idiom #5: Right as rain

If someone is ‘right as rain’, that means they are well, fit and healthy.
“Yesterday I was unwell but today I feel right as rain.”

Weather Idiom #6: To take a rain check

To take a rain check, this is more of an American phrase which we are beginning to see more and more in British English and it means to cancel or refuse something with an intention to do it another time.
Person 1: “Are we still going for coffee later.”
Person 2: “Let’s take a rain check. Maybe next week.”

Weather Idiom #7: To weather the storm 

To weather the storm means to survive through difficulties.
“I had a really difficult month but I told myself to weather the storm and everything is finally back to normal.”

Weather Idiom #8: To rain on someone’s parade

To rain on someone’s parade means to stop them from enjoying themselves or to ruin their plans.
“I don’t want to rain on your parade but you’re being so loud. Please could you be a bit quieter?”

Weather Idiom #9: To shoot the breeze

To shoot the breeze means to have an informal chat.
“Do you want to go for a walk and shoot the breeze?”

Weather Idiom #10: To catch wind

To catch wind of something means to hear a rumour about it.
“I’ve caught wind that your sister is having a baby.”

So there we have 10 weather-based British idioms! How many of them did you know already? If you would like to hear 10 more then check out the complete list in the video below.

Can you think of any I haven’t mentioned? Hop over to my YouTube channel to join the debate or leave a comment below.

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