The weather has been gloomy and it’s been raining cats and dogs lately in Hong Kong. While we all wait for our moment in the sun, let’s take a look at these phrases related to weather that will make your writing flourish.
Meaning: Great outrage or excitement about a trivial matter.
Example: I’m sure this is just a storm in a teacup; Alvin and Sarah will patch things up in no time.
Snowed under
Meaning: To be overwhelmed with a very large amount of something, especially work.
Example: I was snowed under with final exams last week.
It’s fine, everything is fine. Photo: Shutterstock
Lightning never strikes the same place twice
Meaning: A lucky or unusual situation or event is unlikely to happen again in exactly the same circumstances or to the same person.
Example: The team was lucky to get that win but lightning never strikes the same place twice. They may not do as well next time.
The calm before the storm
Meaning: A period of unusual tranquillity or stability that comes before difficult times.
Example: It looks nice outside but this is just the calm before the storm; the Observatory said that a typhoon is coming.
To catch lightning in a bottle
Meaning: to succeed in a way that is very lucky or unlikely.
Example: He caught lightning in a bottle with the success of his very first book.
The hard part is getting it out again. Photo: Shutterstock
Rain or shine
Meaning: Whatever the weather or circumstance.
Example: Every Wednesday, rain or shine, Alison visits the elderly home with warm food.
On cloud nine
Meaning: To be extremely happy.
Example: I was on cloud nine when I won the competition.
These idioms about success will help you raise the bar on your writing
Rain on someone’s parade
Meaning: To prevent someone from enjoying an event; spoil someone’s plans.
Example: I’m sorry to rain on your parade but you’re not allowed to eat on the premises.
Throw caution to the wind
Meaning: To act in a completely reckless manner.
Example: After thinking about it for years, he finally threw caution to the wind, quit his job, and started his own company.
Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: To prevent another person from getting success or attention by doing or saying something they were planning to do; to take credit for someone else’s idea, or to overshadow someone.
Example: Sam stole my thunder when he said he’d done all the work; I actually did it all.
In hindsight, the ski mask was a little suspicious. Photo: Shutterstock
Weather the storm
Meaning: to deal with a difficult situation without being harmed or damaged too much.
Example: Newspapers are weathering the storm of the emergence of online media.
When it rains, it pours
Meaning: Misfortunes or difficult situations tend to follow each other in rapid succession or arrive all at the same time.
Example: I never had an injury before in my life but in the last year, I’ve had a sprain and a broken foot. It’s true what they say about injuries: when it rains, it pours
Life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns
Meaning: Real life does not just consist of innocent, carefree happiness; there is more hardship or suffering in reality than one realises.
Example: Life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, so you have to get used to it and be brave.
We wish though. Photo: Shutterstock
To whistle down the wind
Meaning: Let something go; abandon something.
Example: Once I found out that she had lied, I had to whistle her down the wind.
It’s a breeze
Meaning: very easy to do or achieve.
Example: After all the hard work he put in, the exam was a breeze.
Food idioms that will spice up your writing
Cooking up a storm
Meaning: to do something with a lot of energy and often skill; to enthusiastically make a lot of food in a short period of time
Example: Rob was in the kitchen cooking up a storm for the holiday.
On thin ice
Meaning: In a precarious or risky situation.
Example: I’m on thin ice with my boss because I’ve been late two days in a row.
FYI if it looks like this, get off the ice – or you’re about to be under it. Photo: Shutterstock
Pure as the driven snow
Meaning: Completely virtuous or innocent; having no moral flaws.
Example: I would not claim that politicians are as pure as the driven snow.
Make hay while the sun shines
Meaning: To make the most of a favourable situation while it lasts.
Example: We’ve got a few days off work so let’s make hay while the sun shines and go camping.
Moment in the sun
Meaning: A time of being popular or getting a lot of attention.
Example: It was lovely to see my teachers get their moment in the sun.
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