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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #130329: Idioms: the weather





    > Other English exercises on the same topic: Find the correct tense [Change theme]
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    Idioms: the weather


    In England, and to a lesser extent in every other Anglo-Saxon country, the weather is a much debated topic; therefore, it isn't surprising to find so many references to illustrate idioms about the weather; there are many ot them in both languages. 

    1) THE WEATHER: 

    - To be under the weather: To feel sick or unwell.

    - A fair-weather friend: unreliable or absent in situations of hardship or difficulty.

    2) THE WIND: 

    - To get wind of: to hear rumours...

    - To be in the wind: to be about to occur.

    - To take the wind out of one's sails: to destroy one's confidence.

    - To throw caution to the wind: act recklessly.

    - To whistle down the wind: abandon something.

    - To be a breeze: something easily done.

     

           

     

    3) A CLOUD/ CLOUDS: 

    - Every cloud has a silver lining: a possibility of hope in an unfortunate situation.

    - To have one's head in the clouds: to be daydreaming.

    - To be on cloud nine: to be in a state of perfect happiness.

     

                    

     

    4) RAIN: 

    - To save for a rainy day: saving money for hard times.

    - It never rains, but it pours: several things go wrong in quick succession.

     

         

     

    - Come rain or shine: whatever the situation.

    - To take a raincheck: to decline an invitation for now.

     

             Sorry! I have to take a rain check!

     

    - It's raining cats and dogs: it's raining heavily.

    - It rains on somebody's parade: it spoils somebody's plans.

     

     

     

    5) STORMS: 

    - calm before the storm: a quiet time before a period of trouble.

     

     ...calm before the storm! 

     

    - storm in a teacup: much ado about nothing!

     

    - To weather the storm: to deal with a difficult situation without harm.


    6) THUNDER and LIGHTNING: 

    - To steal somebody's thunder: to claim credit for another's idea.

     

     

    - a face like thunder: an angry face.

    - catch lightning in a bottle: doing something impossible. 

     

     

    - Lightning never strikes the same place twice:

    an unusual event will not happen twice.


    7) THE SNOW/ TO SNOW and ICE: 

    - To be snowed under with work: to be overworked.

     

     

    - To be pure as the driven snow: to be as white, immaculate as snow.

    - Walk on thin ice: a risky situation.

    - To break the ice: to act in a friendly way, by overcoming formality.

     

        

     

    Let's finish on an optimistic note!...

    8) RAINBOWS and SUNSHINE... 

    - To chase rainbows: to achieve the impossible.

     

       

    - Make hay while the sun shines: make the most of a favourable situation.

    - To have a moment in the sun: a period of being popular or getting a lot of attention.

     

       

     

    As I said, I suppose you've noticed that there are quite a number of these expressions... 

    I have arranged them to make them easier to remember...  

    May the FORCE be with you for the test! Go for it! 

     



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    1. Ted, our manager, didn't want the team to his future promotion and relocation.



    2. 'Can I ? I'm no longer free tonight! I have to babysit my baby brother because my parents are going out...'



    3. His declaration started a real agitation; finally, it revealed itself to be nothing but .



    4. After the agitation and demonstrations caused by his unexpected remarks, I hope the Minister can soon his words have started.



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    6. 'Of course, I'd be very happy to go to the concert but as I am , it would be much more reasonable to stay and work!'



    7. 'If I were you, I wouldn't and would only concentrate on the goals I can reach.'



    8. 'Oh dear! Poor me! first, my tyre had a puncture, then I had no spare tyre, and to crown it all, my phone was dead and I couldn't call for help!'



    9. 'Pricie was when she realised she had won a million pounds at the loto.'



    10. 'I'm feeling , overworked and sick... But I'm sure I'll be alright if I have a good rest!'












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