Meaning: This idiom is used to describe very heavy rainfall, typically accompanied by strong winds or a thunderstorm. It implies that the rain is falling in a sudden, intense, and relentless manner.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “We had to cancel our picnic because it started raining cats and dogs.”
- “I got soaked to the bone when I got caught in the rain; it was really raining cats and dogs.”
- “The streets were flooded after a night of raining cats and dogs.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “raining cats and dogs” is uncertain, but several theories exist. One theory suggests that the phrase originated from Norse mythology, where cats and dogs were believed to symbolize heavy rain and storms. Another theory proposes that the term “cat” could be derived from the French word “catadoupe,” meaning waterfall, while “dog” may come from the Old English word “docga,” meaning a heavy rain cloud. Regardless of its exact origin, “raining cats and dogs” has become a common idiom used to describe heavy and relentless rainfall.
