Raining cats and dogs

Meaning

Raining very heavily.

Usage

Used when describing heavy storms.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

The origin is unknown. One theory involves old street gutters, but nothing supports it.

First recorded in the 17th century.