An idiom is a group of words that doesn’t mean what it seems to mean. Like “up in the air” doesn’t have anything to do with altitude; it refers to being undecided. Different languages have different idioms, so familiarity with the idioms for the language you’re reading/speaking is important to comprehension. And frankly, idioms are a lot of fun. Let’s spend some time this summer learning idioms!
Weather-related
Every cloud has a silver lining – Okay. There’s no way the average person can prove or disprove this statement, yet you hear it all the time. Unfortunately, you usually hear it after something bad has happened. It means that there is some good to every bad situation. I’m not sure I’m a believer, but this idiom urges us to look for the positive in every situation.
Under the weather – Once again, the actual weather is not the point. What this idiom is saying is that someone is not feeling totally well. They’re not deathly ill, but they are feeling a bit off.
Rain on someone’s parade – Picture it. You’re all lined up for the big parade. Floats, band members, banners, twirlers, maybe even pets … Then, out of nowhere, it rains. Not a good thing. That’s metaphorically what this idiom is about. You were ready to have a proud moment, and someone did something that ruined your plan.
Throw caution to the wind – Most times you’re about to do something, you weigh the risk with the reward. For instance, if someone asked you to walk on a tighrope between the top of two skyscrapers, without any safety gear, you might decline the offer. If you were to throw caution to the wind, however, you’d ask when you needed to be there.
As right as rain – I’d guess this idiom dates back to when rain was a necessity for growing crops. If something is as right as rain, it means it’s perfect.
Calm before the storm – Imagine you’re at the beach. You’re building sand castles and snacking on sandy potato chips, having a wonderful day. The water is calm. The weather is perfect. You are relaxed. Then, the storm hits, umbrellas go flying, the water churns, and maybe heavy rain destroys your work. The wonderful time you were having was the calm before the storm.
So …
Idioms are a funny and useful part of a language. When you say, it’s the calm before the storm, you know you mean things are about to get rough. When your friend says they are under the weather, you know it’s not the day to take a hike.
Bottom Line
Read our series about idioms this summer! Try to spot some idioms of your own each day. Put them in the comments, and we’ll be sure to write about them. While you’re at it, check out the Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish to see the trouble idioms caused her!