4. Idioms related to the weather

If I tell you that I'm 'snowed under', what do you think I mean?

I'm having problems with the winter weather.
I'm very confused.
I've got too much work to do.

What do you think? If you said c, that's exactly right!

'To be snowed under' is an idiom – a group of words with a special meaning that is different from the meaning of each word on its own.

There are lots of idioms in English related to weather. In this step you'll find six useful ones that you hear and read quite often.

Can you guess what the idioms in bold mean in each example? Then check the definitions below to see if you're right.

He was on cloud nine when they offered him the job.
She gets up at 6 a.m., come rain or shine, and goes for her morning walk.
I threw caution to the wind and followed them into the water.
The return trip was a breeze after the hard climb up the mountain.
They're so positive and enthusiastic – it's like a breath of fresh air working with them.
I'm totally snowed under at work this week.

Definitions

to be on cloud nine

to be extremely happy about something

He was on cloud nine when they offered him the job.

come rain or shine

whatever happens; no matter what the situation is

She gets up at 6 a.m., come rain or shine, and goes for her morning walk.

to throw caution to the wind

to do something without worrying about the risks or problems it may cause

I threw caution to the wind and followed them into the water.

to be a breeze

to be easy, especially unexpectedly easy

The return trip was a breeze after the hard climb up the mountain.

a breath of fresh air

someone or something that is new and different and makes everything seem more exciting

They're so positive and enthusiastic – it's like a breath of fresh air working with them.

to be snowed under

to have too much to do

I'm totally snowed under at work this week.

You can use these idioms in informal communication to make your speaking and writing more interesting.

We want to hear from you

Did you know any of these expressions already? Which is your favourite?
Do you know any more weather idioms in English?
Can you translate an idiom from your language into English and tell us what it means?

Did you know you can improve your English by responding to other people's comments? Communicating with others is an effective way of improving your English and learning about the world.

Next step

Hi,

In Poland we say 'pogoda pod psem' which means the weather is terrible and 'burza w szklance wody' - it means that someone is overreacting, making a big deal out of nothing.

Another one 'chwalić dzień przed zachodem słońca" - people say that

when someone is celebrating something too early, not waiting for the finale effect.

I didn't know any of these expressions, but it's interesting to improve my vocabulary. Here in Mexico, we use a phrase to mean that somebody is in a complicated situation:

'Le está lloviendo sobre mojado' = 'When it rains, it pours'

Almost of these expressions are new for me and my favourite one is "come rain or shine". In Portugal we use this same expression with the same meaning.

Come rain or shine = Chova ou faça sol

This is my favourite one!

I think I know only one weather idioms in English: "It rains cats and dogs".

Nofy riririnina = Dream winter

Dream winter means "hope for nothing"

For example, i say : "If i explore Antarcica now and play with a lot of pingouins and swim with them, it will be so fantastic". And people answer : Dream winter (because it is not possible in the moment i say it, or never possible", or : Don't dream winter (means stop to dream like that because it is impossible)

I hope you understand :)

Hi Sehenra!

If I understood your example, "dream winter" means something really difficult to happen, almost impossible. Is it correct?

4. Idioms related to the weather

Definitions

We want to hear from you

Online courses