English idioms: Weather, And & Nature
12 idioms with meanings and example sentences, plus where many of them come from.
a storm in a teacupa big fuss over something minorThe argument was a storm in a teacup.Origin: A tiny storm contained in a small cup.
break the iceto start a conversation in a tense situationHe told a joke to break the ice.Origin: From ships that broke ice to allow others to pass.
on thin icein a risky situationYou're on thin ice after missing so many days.Origin: Thin ice might break under your weight.
the calm before the storma quiet period before troubleMornings were quiet, the calm before the storm.Origin: From weather that is calm just before a storm.
a drop in the oceana tiny amount compared with what is neededThe donation was a drop in the ocean.Origin: A drop is insignificant next to an ocean.
steal someone's thunderto take credit for someone else's ideaHe stole my thunder by announcing it first.Origin: From a playwright whose thunder-sound machine was copied by a rival.
come rain or shinewhatever happensI'll be there come rain or shine.Origin: Weather is the symbol of conditions changing.
out of the woodsout of dangerThe patient isn't out of the woods yet.Origin: From the danger of being lost in a forest.
get wind ofto hear about something secretThe press got wind of the scandal.Origin: From animals smelling a scent on the wind.
a bolt from the bluea complete surpriseThe news was a bolt from the blue.Origin: Lightning from a clear sky is unexpected.
go with the flowto accept events without resistingI'm just going to go with the flow.Origin: From moving with the current of a stream.
take a rain checkto postpone an offerCan I take a rain check on lunch?Origin: From baseball tickets for a rained-out game.
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