It never rains but it pours!

The weather has been very wet recently here on the continent, yet most people think that it’s in the UK where it always rains! Whether this is true or not, it is fair to say that the UK does have an unpredictable climate. One moment it’s raining and then the next moment the clouds clear and the sun comes out! As a result, the Brits love to discuss the weather and our vocabulary reflects this. For example, we don’t just say it’s raining, we can use more colourful verbs and expressions such as:
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It’s pouring (raining very heavily)
It’s drizzling (raining very lightly)
There was a shower this morning (a short, sudden fall of rain)
There was a downpour last night (a heavy fall of rain)
We had torrential rain last week (very heavy rain)
It was raining cats and dogs all day yesterday (raining heavily)
 
We also have lots of expressions connected to the weather and in particular rain. Below are just a few. Try and use one the next time you speak English.

• It never rains but it pours!

This means that when something bad happens, other bad things are sure to happen as well.
“Last week my car broke down and the repairs are going to cost too much so I’m going to have a buy a new car. Two days later, my washing machine broke too! It never rains but it pours!”

• Come rain or shine!

Things always happen despite the circumstances or the weather.
“Sophie cycles to work every day, come rain or shine.”
“I’ll be with you at 6pm on Friday come rain or shine. You can count on me.”

• Saving for a rainy day

Keep something, often money, for a time when you will need it more.
“My grandfather’s best advice to me was to always try and save part of my monthly salary for a rainy day.  When I needed to buy a new car urgently, I had the money, thanks to his advice!”

• To feel as right as rain

To feel fit and healthy.
“I was off work last week with the flu. But I’m as right as rain now.”
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• To take a rain check

An American expression used as a polite way to refuse an offer or suggestion but say that you’d like to accept it another time.
“Can I invite you for lunch?”
“That’s very kind, I’d love to but I’m in a hurry today. Can I take a rain check?”

With all these verbs and expressions I suppose it is true to say that, despite global warming, it often rains in the UK! But then without the rain, the countryside wouldn’t be so gloriously fresh and green. So you see, every cloud has a silver lining! (there’s always something positive to come out of something bad).