5 English idioms about the weather

Weather affects more than the forecast. It shapes the way we talk, too. English has plenty of expressions inspired by rain, storms, and sunshine, and we use them all the time. Let's look at some of the most common ones.

Under the weather

If you're "under the weather," you're feeling a bit sick. People use it for a cold, a headache, or just feeling off. It's a gentle phrase, so it's not used for anything serious.

• He missed the meeting because he was under the weather.
• Molly played anyway, even though she was under the weather.
• I'm feeling a bit under the weather today. I think I'll stay in.

A storm in a teacup

"A storm in a teacup" is a lot of anger or worry about something that doesn't really matter. It's the British version. In American English, you'll hear "a tempest in a teapot."

• Their argument was a storm in a teacup. It was over in five minutes.
• Don't stress about it. It's just a storm in a teacup.
• All that fuss about the new logo was a storm in a teacup.

Take a rain check

If you "take a rain check," you say no to an invitation for now but mean to do it another time. The phrase comes from American baseball, where fans got a ticket for a new game if the original one was rained out.

• I'm swamped today. Can I take a rain check on lunch?
• She had to take a rain check on dinner because she wasn't feeling well.
• It's pouring. Let's take a rain check on the picnic.

Break the ice

To "break the ice" means to say or do something that makes people feel more relaxed when they first meet. German speakers have it easy here, because das Eis brechen means the same thing.

• He told a funny story to break the ice at the start of his presentation.
• I always talk about food to break the ice. Everyone has an opinion on it.
• A few silly games helped break the ice on the first day.

The calm before the storm

"The calm before the storm" is a quiet moment just before things get busy, stressful, or difficult.

• The office is so quiet today. It's the calm before the storm.
• Enjoy the weekend. It's the calm before the storm before next week's deadlines.
• The morning of the wedding was the calm before the storm.

Just like the weather, conversations in English can be unpredictable. Hopefully, these idioms will help you keep up when the topic changes as quickly as the forecast (see what we did there?).

Keep your English as fresh as a summer breeze. Follow our Daily Dose of Denglisch Docs for more everyday expressions.