What is the meaning of raining cats and dogs idiom?

to rain very heavily: Don't forget to take your umbrella - it's raining cats and dogs out there.
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What is the meaning of idiom word raining cats and dogs?

The English-language idiom "raining cats and dogs or raining dogs and cats" is used to describe particularly heavy rain. It is of unknown etymology and is not necessarily related to the raining animals phenomenon. The phrase (with "polecats" instead of "cats") has been used at least since the 17th century.
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What is the meaning of cats and dogs phrase?

Definition of cats and dogs

: in great quantities : very hard it was raining cats and dogs.
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What is an example of raining cats and dogs?

Sentence Examples With Raining Cats and Dogs

The "raining cats and dogs" idiom is commonly used in English language sentences, as are many other examples of figurative language.
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Where did the idiom It's raining cats and dogs come from?

Witches would ride their brooms during a storm and were often seen with a black cat as signs of heavy rain for sailors. So, in this case the phrase raining cats and dogs could be involved with wind and heavy rain which are both prominent during strong, heavy rain events.
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Raining Cats and Dogs Meaning - Idiom Examples and Origin



What is the opposite of raining cats and dogs?

antonyms for raining cats and dogs

MOST RELEVANT. calm. dry. gentle. mild.
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How do you use raining cats and dogs in a sentence?

It's Raining Cats and Dogs means: A heavy downpour, rain coming down very quickly and hard. Example of use: “There's no way they'll be playing at the park, it's raining cats and dogs out there!”
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What is the meaning of bucketing down?

Definition of bucket down

British, informal. : to rain very heavily The rain is really bucketing down.
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What is the meaning of word nippy?

Definition of nippy

1 : marked by a tendency to nip a nippy dog. 2 : brisk, quick, or nimble in movement : snappy a nippy boat nippy tennis players. 3 : pungent, sharp A mixed salad and a nippy potato salad.— Caryl Stern.
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What is the meaning of dries up?

intransitive verb. 1 : to disappear as if by evaporation, draining, or cutting off of a source of supply. 2 : to wither or die through gradual loss of vitality. 3 : to stop talking.
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What is the meaning of pouring down?

Definitions of pour down. verb. drink down entirely. synonyms: belt down, bolt down, down, drink down, kill, pop, toss off. type of: drink, imbibe.
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How do you use idiom in a sentence?

How to use Idiom in a sentence
  1. An idiom to describe heavy rain is, "it's raining cats and dogs!" ...
  2. However, with few exceptions, the cottages are styled within the vernacular revival idiom. ...
  3. Through these two dancers, the classical idiom truly becomes a language, which they utter with utmost expressive clarity.
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What are examples of idioms?

Common Idioms in English
  • Getting fired turned out to be a blessing in disguise. ...
  • These red poppies are a dime a dozen. ...
  • Don't beat around the bush. ...
  • After some reflection, he decided to bite the bullet. ...
  • I'm going to call it a night. ...
  • He's got a chip on his shoulder. ...
  • Would you cut me some slack? - Don't be so hard on me.
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Is raining cats and dogs an idiom or hyperbole?

"It's raining cats and dogs" is an idiomatic expression and not a hyperbole.
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What is the meaning of idiom once in a blue moon?

Once in a blue moon: This poetic phrase refers to something extremely rare in occurrence. A blue moon is the term commonly used for a second full moon that occasionally appears in a single month of our solar-based calendars.
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Is raining cats and dogs a personification?

It's raining cats and dogs. You're as sweet as sugar. You just studied 7 terms!
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Do cats like rain?

Do Cats Like the Rain? Most cats don't like the rain and for good reason. Their top coat is water-resistant, but if they're out in a downpour, then moisture can sink past this layer and make them uncomfortable. A waterlogged coat hampers a cat's ability to keep itself warm by losing body heat quicker than normal.
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What is the literal meaning of idiom?

1 : an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as up in the air for "undecided") or in its grammatically atypical use of words (such as give way)
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Is raining cats and dogs still used?

Yes, "cats and dogs" is still in use and almost all Americans will understand.
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