WEATHER IDIOMS

UNDER THE WEATHER

ORIGIN & DEFINITION Today the term is used to describe someone when they are feeling unwell. Under the Weather was originally a maritime expression used to describe someone who was seasick. When a sailor was feeling seasick he would be sent down below, away form the weather bow.

A: What's the matter? You look under the weather. B: Yeah, I know. I'm just getting over the flu. A: Oh, I hope you feel better. B: Thanks. 

TO BE SNOWED UNDER WITH WORK

ORIGIN & DEFINITION The expression to be snowed under with work means you have too much work to do. The expression comes from the literal meaning. When you are snowed in or snowed under you are covered with so much snow that you can’t move.

A: Hey. Do you have any plans tonight A: Hey! Do you have any plans tonight? We were going to go see the new Brad Pitt film. B: Oh! I would love to, but it’s the end of the tax year. I’m completely snowed under with work. A: Oh, that’s too bad. Maybe next time.

IT’S RAINING CATS AND DOGS!

ORIGIN & DEFINITION The expression is used when it’s raining really hard. I'll describe their houses a little. You've heard of thatch roofs, well that's all they were. Thick straw, piled high, with no wood underneath. They were the only place for the little animals to get warm. So all the pets; dogs, cats and other small animals, mice, rats, bugs, all lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery so sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Thus the saying, "it's raining cats and dogs."

David: Oh yeah, it was pouring last week. John: Hi Dave, I just back got into town. I heard that it's been raining lately. David: Oh yeah, it was pouring last week. John: Really, how hard was it raining? David: Oh, it was raining cats and dogs!