Weather Idioms
Idioms about storms, rain, clouds, sunshine, snow, wind, and changing conditions.
Browse weather idioms
Break the ice
To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.
Throw in the towel
To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.
Spill the beans
Reveal a secret or disclose information prematurely.
Go the extra mile
Put in more effort than is required.
Burn the midnight oil
Work late into the night.
Once in a blue moon
Very rarely.
Green thumb
A talent for gardening or making plants thrive.
Hit the books
Start studying with focus and dedication.
Let sleeping dogs lie
Do not disturb a situation that is currently calm, even if there is a conflict beneath the surface.
Reading the tea leaves
Trying to predict the future based on subtle signs.
Lost in translation
Subtle meaning or nuance that does not survive translation from one language to another.
Bang for your buck
Good value for the money spent.
Beat around the bush
Avoid stating something directly.
Calm before the storm
A peaceful period preceding chaos.
Duck and cover
React quickly to avoid danger.
Ear to the ground
Be attentive to warnings and rumors.
Give someone the cold shoulder
Ignore or snub someone intentionally.
Keep your eye on the ball
Stay focused on the goal.
Out of the blue
Unexpectedly.
A dime a dozen
Very common and of little value.
A stitch in time saves nine
Fixing small problems now prevents bigger ones later.
Backseat driver
Someone who offers unwanted advice during another's efforts.
Bend over backwards
Make a great effort to please someone.
Bite off more than you can chew
Take on more responsibilities than you can handle.
By and large
Generally speaking.
Get cold feet
To become nervous or afraid just before doing something important.
Come clean
Confess honestly.
Elephant in the room
An obvious issue nobody wants to address.
Get your act together
Become organized and focused.
Head in the clouds
Daydreaming or unrealistic.
Keep your chin up
Stay positive despite difficulties.
On cloud nine
Extremely happy.
Read the room
Perceive the atmosphere or mood.
Silver lining
A positive aspect of a negative situation.
Steal the show
Attract more attention than others in a performance or event.
Keep your head down
Avoid drawing attention, especially in difficult situations.
Lightning never strikes twice
Very rare events usually don't repeat.
No-brainer
An obvious or easy decision.
Roll with the punches
Adapt to difficulties gracefully.
Rule of thumb
A practical guideline based on experience.
Sink or swim
Succeed or fail without help.
Steal someone's thunder
Take credit for someone else's idea.
A stone's throw
A very short distance.
Take one for the team
Make a sacrifice for the group's benefit.
Tip of the iceberg
A small visible part of a much larger issue.
Under your belt
Gained experience or completed.
Hear a pin drop
The room is extremely quiet.
Keep your fingers crossed
Hope for a favorable outcome.
Cast the first stone
Be the first to criticize, only if you are faultless.
Clear the air
Resolve tension through open discussion.
Cost an arm and a leg
To be extremely expensive or feel painfully costly.
Dead heat
An exact tie in a contest.
Fair-weather friend
Someone supportive only in good times.
Fall on deaf ears
Be ignored or disregarded.
Fish or cut bait
Act decisively or step aside.
Pay the piper
Face the consequences.
Pull the plug
Stop something abruptly.
Strike while the iron is hot
Act when conditions are best.
Dog days of summer
The hottest, most lethargic stretch of summer.
Double take
An exaggerated second look because something surprised you.
Elbow grease
Physical effort needed to make something clean or polished.
Fight fire with fire
Respond to an attack with similar tactics.
Have a field day
Enjoy doing something, especially with enthusiasm.
Keep your wits about you
Stay alert and think clearly under pressure.
Kill two birds with one stone
Accomplish two objectives with a single action.
Pay through the nose
Pay a very high price.
Put your best foot forward
Present yourself in the best possible light.
Roll out the red carpet
Give someone a very special welcome.
Set the record straight
Correct a misunderstanding or false claim.
Sweep under the rug
Ignore or conceal problems instead of addressing them.
Take the heat
Accept blame or criticism on behalf of others.
Batten down the hatches
Prepare for trouble or a difficult situation.