Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Be snowed under
Meaning: Be extremely busy with work or things to do
Example: I’m snowed under with work. I’ve got so much to do.
Be/feel under the weather
Meaning: Be/feel unwell or ill
Example: I can’t finish my work today. I feel under the weather.
Blood and Thunder
Meaning: A dramatic, spectacular performance
Example: The heavy metal concert ended with a piece that was truly blood and
thunder.
(Be) a Breeze
Meaning: Very easy
Example: I stayed up all night studying for that exam, and then it turned out to be a
breeze!
Blow Hot and Cold
Meaning: Shift one’s level of enthusiasm repeatedly
Example: I can’t figure out Stephanie’s attitude toward the trip-she’s blowing hot and
cold about it. First she’s all excited, but then she seems reluctant to go.
Bolt from the Blue
Meaning: Something completely unexpected
Example: When Nick broke up with me, it was a bolt from the blue. I was stunned.
Brainstorm
Meaning: To generate many ideas quickly
Example: Before writing, our teacher asked us to brainstorm the topics for essays.
Break the ice
Meaning: To get something started, particularly by means of a social introduction or
conversation
Example: It can be difficult to break the ice at formal events.
Bone Dry
Meaning: Completely dry, totally without moisture
Example: Several of the smaller rivers and reservoirs in Cape Town are bone dry, and
without conservation measures the city could run out of water.
Weather Idioms and Sayings (C)
List of idiomatic expressions about the weather that start with C.
Dead of winter
Meaning: The coldest, darkest part of winter
Example: I find myself dreaming of tropical islands every year in the dead of winter.
Dog days of the summer
Meaning: The hottest day of summer
Example: It has been at least 50 degrees every day this week!. The dog days of
summer are here!
(Every Cloud Has a) Silver Lining
Meaning: A positive aspect of a bad situation
Example: The silver lining to the layoffs is that we all have more office space now.
Have (one’s) head in the clouds
Meaning: Not know what is happening around you or out of touch with reality
Example: My son always has his head in the clouds as he walks home from school.
Heavens open
Meaning: Start to rain heavily
Example: Let’s come back soon before the heavens open!
Weather Idioms and Sayings (I, O)
List of idiomatic expressions about the weather that start with I, O.
In the dark
Meaning: Not informed
Example: I was kept in the dark about the intervention until a few minutes before it
was a reality.
It never rains but it pours
Meaning: Bad luck and bad things tend to happen at the same time
Example: I lost my wallet and now I’ve lost my phone. It never rains but it pours!
In a Fog
Meaning: Confused, not mentally alert
Example: I made a huge mistake. I stayed up all night studying, and I was in a
fog when it came time to start the exam.
Old Man Winter
Meaning: Winter
Example: Old Man Winter is hanging around this year-it’s the middle of March, and
we still have a lot of snow.
On Cloud Nine
Meaning: Extremely happy
Example: Cindy was on cloud nine after her boyfriend proposed to her.
Note: This formerly had the connotation of drug usage (as in the song of this title by the
Temptations), but it’s now more generally used.
On Thin Ice
Meaning: In a risky situation, especially in an interpersonal relationship
Example: I have to go to work. I’ve been late twice this week already, and I’m on thin
ice with the boss.
Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely
Example: He has very little contact to his family. He came home once in a blue moon.
Weather Idioms and Sayings (G, P, R)
List of idiomatic expressions about the weather that start with G, P, R.
Get Wind of
Meaning: Hear about
Example: A large stone sculpture was stolen from our backyard last night. If you get
wind of anyone trying to sell one, please let me know.
Perfect Storm
Meaning: A rare combination of disastrous occurrences
Example: I’m sorry we damaged your car. It was a perfect storm-bad weather, poorly
maintained brakes, and an inexperienced driver.
Pure as the driven snow
Meaning: To be innocent and chaste (frequently used ironically)
Example: I never thought Madonna was pure as the driven snow, but the book she
wrote is crazy!
Note: This idiom was popularized by the George Clooney film of the same name.