Raining Cats and Dogs

Raining cats and dogs

Did you know?

The idiom “raining cats and dogs” originated in 17th Century in England. During heavy downpours of rain, many of these poor animals unfortunately drowned and their bodies would be seen floating in the rain torrents that raced through the streets. The situation gave the appearance that it had literally rained “cats and dogs”and led to the current expression.

Picture: I Get It!

“Raining cats and dogs” is a bit old-fashioned expression and people don’t use it much these days; we use “bucketing down” instead. Both expressions mean raining a lot.

Here are some other ways to say “it’s raining heavily”:

• It’s pouring.

• It’s chucking it down.

• It’s lashing.

• It’s pelting down.


To die for.

Graham : Do you have room for dessert?
Julie : Yes, indeed. I think I’ll go for the homemade apple pie.
Graham : All right, let’s get that.
Julie : Wait a minute. The red velvet sounds scrumptious.
Graham : I changed my mind. I’ll go for that, too.
Julie : Hold on! I heard their blueberry muffin is to die for.

“To die for”
Meaning: to be strongly wished for

Another example :
• She has a figure to die for.

Synonymous expression: “I’m dying to . . .”

Examples:
• I’m dying to meet you!
• I’m dying to go to Milan next summer.

Pot Calling The Kettle Black

“Pot calling the kettle black” – Idiom

Karen : Can you believe how much weight Lisa has gained?
Carrie : That’s not a nice thing to say about her.
Karen : It’s true. She’s always eating.
Carrie : Well, that’s the pot calling the kettle black.
Karen : What’s that supposed to mean?
Carrie : Let me just put it this way; you’re not exactly thin yourself.
Karen : It’s my clothes. They must have shrunk in the dryer.
Carrie : If you say so.

Pot calling the kettle black 
Meaning: Accusing someone of being something you are yourself; who are you to judge?
Synonymous phrase: Look who’s talking.

Here’s a poem in an early-twentieth-century school textbook runs:

“Oho!” said the pot to the kettle;
“You are dirty and ugly and black!
Sure no one would think you were metal,
Except when you’re given a crack.”

“Not so! not so!” kettle said to the pot;
“‘Tis your own dirty image you see;
For I am so clean – without blemish or blot –
That your blackness is mirrored in me.”

—Maxwell’s Elementary Grammar, 1904

Explanation:
Back in those days, pots and kettles were made of cast iron which comes in black. (These days you may find colored cast iron cookware.) So when the pot called the kettle black, the kettle told the pot, “I’m not black; it is your own reflection you see in me.”

Idioms Related to Romance

What do those idioms mean?

TIE THE KNOT — Meaning: to get married!

• Tod and Rina will tie the knot next week! I’m so excited for them!

GET DUMPED — Meaning: when someone ends a relationship with you

• Barry got dumped by Julie last weekend. He didn’t expect it, but Julie was very unhappy.

LOVE TO PIECES — Meaning: to love someone or something a lot!

• Sonali loves her dog to pieces. She can’t go anywhere without him.

DOUBLE DATE — Meaning: when two couples go out and spend time together

• Stephan and Carrie are going on a double date with Michelle and Max.

FALL FOR SOMEONE — Meaning: to be in love with someone

• It’s hard not to fall for her! She’s perfect for me!

FIND MR. / MRS. RIGHT — Meaning: the perfect man or woman

• I didn’t think it would take me 20 years to find my Mr. Right, but I finally found him!

BLIND DATE — Meaning: going on a date for two people who have never met each other people

• I’ve never been on a blind date before. I’m so nervous. I hope he’s a nice guy.

POP THE QUESTION — Meaning: to ask someone to marry you

• I think I’m going to pop the question to Liza on Saturday. I hope the weather will be nice.

GO DUTCH — Meaning: you each pay separately for a meal

• Let’s go dutch tonight, I’ll get the first drinks, you can get the next ones!