Storms can be loud, wild, and full of energy. When people talk about strong feelings or big events, they sometimes use words that sound like a storm. These are called idioms. Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. Instead, they have a special meaning.
Idioms about storms are used when someone feels upset, surprised, or when things happen quickly. They help people paint a picture with words. For example, saying “he was a storm waiting to happen” doesn’t mean he’s the weather; it means he was about to get really upset. In this article, you’ll learn fun and clear storm idioms that people use in everyday life.
Idioms about Storms
1. Storm brewing
Meaning: Trouble is coming.
Within a Sentence: I could tell a storm was brewing when Mom looked upset. / There’s a storm brewing between the two friends.
In Other Words: Trouble is about to start. / Someone might get angry soon.
2. Weather the storm
Meaning: To get through a hard time.
Within a Sentence: We had to weather the storm when Dad lost his job. / She weathered the storm during her tough week at school.
In Other Words: Make it through a bad time. / Stay strong during problems.
3. Calm before the storm
Meaning: A quiet time before something bad happens.
Within a Sentence: The house was too quiet, it felt like the calm before the storm. / We had fun, but it was the calm before the storm of chores.
In Other Words: Peace before trouble. / A short break before things get hard.
4. Storm out
Meaning: To leave quickly and angrily.
Within a Sentence: She stormed out after the argument. / He stormed out when his game was taken away.
In Other Words: Leave in anger. / Walk away upset.
5. Eye of the storm
Meaning: The middle of a big problem.
Within a Sentence: He was in the eye of the storm during the class fight. / Mom felt like she was in the eye of the storm at work.
In Other Words: In the center of trouble. / In the most tense part.
6. Tempest in a teapot
Meaning: A big deal over something small.
Within a Sentence: They were arguing over a pencil a real tempest in a teapot. / It was just a small mistake, but it became a tempest in a teapot.
In Other Words: Too much drama. / Making a small thing huge.
7. Ride out the storm
Meaning: Stay calm during a hard time.
Within a Sentence: We had to ride out the storm when Grandma was sick. / He rode out the storm after losing his pet.
In Other Words: Stay strong during problems. / Wait until it gets better.
8. Storm of emotions
Meaning: Feeling many strong things at once.
Within a Sentence: She felt a storm of emotions after the news. / He had a storm of emotions on the last day of school.
In Other Words: Many feelings at the same time. / Feeling a lot.
9. Take by storm
Meaning: To become popular or successful fast.
Within a Sentence: Her song took the school by storm. / The new toy took the playground by storm.
In Other Words: Everyone liked it quickly. / It became popular fast.
10. Storm clouds gathering
Meaning: Trouble is coming.
Within a Sentence: You could see storm clouds gathering when Dad got the bad letter. / Storm clouds were gathering before the meeting.
In Other Words: Bad things are about to happen. / Trouble is near.
11. Lightning never strikes twice
Meaning: Something bad or rare won’t happen again.
Within a Sentence: He failed once, but lightning never strikes twice. / Don’t worry it won’t happen again.
In Other Words: It’s unlikely to repeat. / Bad luck won’t come back.
12. Throw caution to the wind
Meaning: Take a risk.
Within a Sentence: She threw caution to the wind and joined the race. / He threw caution to the wind and asked the big question.
In Other Words: Do something risky. / Take a chance.
13. Under the weather
Meaning: Not feeling well.
Within a Sentence: I stayed home because I felt under the weather. / He’s under the weather with a cold.
In Other Words: Feeling sick. / Not well today.
14. Come in like a hurricane
Meaning: Arrive loudly or with a big presence.
Within a Sentence: He came in like a hurricane, knocking over books. / She always enters like a hurricane.
In Other Words: Enter noisily. / Come in with energy.
15. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: Something good can come from something bad.
Within a Sentence: We missed the trip, but stayed home and had fun. Every cloud has a silver lining. / Losing helped me learn.
In Other Words: There’s a bright side. / Good can come from bad.
16. Lightning-fast
Meaning: Very fast.
Within a Sentence: He ran lightning-fast during the game. / She typed lightning-fast.
In Other Words: Super quick. / Very fast.
17. Snowed under
Meaning: Too much work to do.
Within a Sentence: I’m snowed under with homework. / She was snowed under after missing school.
In Other Words: Very busy. / Too much to handle.
18. Come rain or shine
Meaning: No matter what happens.
Within a Sentence: Come rain or shine, we’ll go to Grandma’s. / He practices every day, come rain or shine.
In Other Words: No matter what. / Always.
19. Head in the clouds
Meaning: Not paying attention.
Within a Sentence: He had his head in the clouds during class. / She was daydreaming with her head in the clouds.
In Other Words: Not focused. / Lost in thought.
20. Chase rainbows
Meaning: Go after impossible dreams.
Within a Sentence: He’s always chasing rainbows with his big ideas. / Don’t just chase rainbows make a plan.
In Other Words: Go after things that are unlikely. / Dream too big.
21. A hail of criticism
Meaning: A lot of people are saying bad things.
Within a Sentence: The team faced a hail of criticism after the loss. / She got a hail of criticism for being late.
In Other Words: Many complaints. / People are being harsh.
22. Storm in
Meaning: Enter quickly and angrily.
Within a Sentence: He stormed in after the argument. / She stormed in without knocking.
In Other Words: Come in mad. / Enter fast and upset.
23. Cloud over
Meaning: Become sad suddenly.
Within a Sentence: His face clouded over after hearing the news. / She clouded over when the game was canceled.
In Other Words: Look sad. / Feel upset.
24. Rain on someone’s parade
Meaning: To ruin someone’s good moment.
Within a Sentence: Don’t rain on her parade, she worked hard. / I didn’t want to rain on his parade with bad news.
In Other Words: Spoil their joy. / Ruin the fun.
25. A bolt from the blue
Meaning: Something very surprising.
Within a Sentence: The news was a bolt from the blue. / It came like a bolt from the blue.
In Other Words: A big surprise. / Very sudden.
26. On cloud nine
Meaning: Very happy.
Within a Sentence: She was on cloud nine after winning. / He felt on cloud nine during his birthday.
In Other Words: Super happy. / Full of joy.
27. Storm-tossed
Meaning: Feeling confused or upset, like a ship in a storm.
Within a Sentence: He felt storm-tossed after the big fight. / Her heart was storm-tossed with worry.
In Other Words: Very shaken. / Deeply upset.
28. A face like thunder
Meaning: Looking very angry.
Within a Sentence: He had a face like thunder after losing. / Her face looked like thunder when she saw the mess.
In Other Words: Very mad. / Angry expression.
29. Cloud of doubt
Meaning: Not being sure.
Within a Sentence: There was a cloud of doubt about the test. / I felt a cloud of doubt during the game.
In Other Words: Not confident. / Unsure.
30. Blow hot and cold
Meaning: Keep changing your mind.
Within a Sentence: He blows hot and cold about the project. / She’s blowing hot and cold about going.
In Other Words: Not sure what to choose. / Change thoughts a lot.
31. In a fog
Meaning: Feeling confused.
Within a Sentence: I was in a fog after waking up early. / He walked around in a fog all day.
In Other Words: Confused. / Not clear.
32. Skating on thin ice
Meaning: Doing something risky.
Within a Sentence: You’re skating on thin ice by yelling at the teacher. / He was skating on thin ice with his joke.
In Other Words: Taking a chance. / Close to trouble.
33. Storm-tossed sea
Meaning: A hard and changing situation.
Within a Sentence: Her week was like a storm-tossed sea. / Life felt like a storm-tossed sea after moving.
In Other Words: Lots of ups and downs. / Hard time.
34. Cloud hanging over
Meaning: A sad or scary feeling that won’t go away.
Within a Sentence: A cloud was hanging over the class after the news. / There’s a cloud hanging over the team.
In Other Words: Feeling worried. / Sad mood.
35. Thunderous silence
Meaning: Quiet that feels heavy or awkward.
Within a Sentence: The thunderous silence made everyone nervous. / She sat in thunderous silence.
In Other Words: Quiet and tense. / Uncomfortable quiet.
36. Get wind of
Meaning: Hear a secret or rumor.
Within a Sentence: I got wind of a surprise party. / She got wind of the change at school.
In Other Words: Hear something secretly. / Find out quietly.
37. Drenched to the bone
Meaning: Very wet.
Within a Sentence: He was drenched to the bone after walking in the rain. / We were drenched to the bone at recess.
In Other Words: Soaked. / Very wet.
38. Storming success
Meaning: A big success.
Within a Sentence: The play was a storming success. / Her bake sale was a storming success.
In Other Words: Very popular. / A big win.
39. Raining cats and dogs
Meaning: Raining very hard.
Within a Sentence: It’s raining cats and dogs. Stay inside! / We got wet because it rained cats and dogs.
In Other Words: Heavy rain. / Pouring rain.
40. In the wind
Meaning: About to happen or change.
Within a Sentence: A change is in the wind. / Something big is in the wind at school.
In Other Words: Coming soon. / About to happen.
41. The storm has passed
Meaning: The hard time is over.
Within a Sentence: We were scared, but now the storm has passed. / The fight is over the storm has passed.
In Other Words: Things are better now. / The trouble is gone.
42. Clouds on the horizon
Meaning: Problems might happen soon.
Within a Sentence: There are clouds on the horizon for our trip. / I see clouds on the horizon in the team’s future.
In Other Words: Trouble might come. / A problem could start.
43. In the thunder of applause
Meaning: Loud clapping after success.
Within a Sentence: She stood in the thunder of applause after the play. / He smiled in the thunder of applause.
In Other Words: Lots of clapping. / People are cheering loudly.
44. Wind knocked out of your sails
Meaning: Feeling sad or disappointed suddenly.
Within a Sentence: I had the wind knocked out of my sails when I lost. / His smile faded the wind was knocked out of his sails.
In Other Words: Felt let down. / Lost energy or hope.
45. As quick as lightning
Meaning: Very fast.
Within a Sentence: She answered as quick as lightning. / He moved as quick as lightning in the game.
In Other Words: Super fast. / Very speedy.
46. A clap of thunder
Meaning: A loud or sudden noise.
Within a Sentence: There was a clap of thunder outside. / The door slammed with a clap of thunder.
In Other Words: Loud sound. / Sudden noise.
47. The air is electric
Meaning: The mood is exciting or tense.
Within a Sentence: Before the concert, the air was electric. / You could feel the electric air before the test.
In Other Words: The mood was exciting. / You could feel the tension.
48. Make waves
Meaning: Cause change or trouble.
Within a Sentence: He made waves by asking hard questions. / She made waves in class with her idea.
In Other Words: Cause a big effect. / Change things up.
49. Ride the wind
Meaning: Go with the flow or be free.
Within a Sentence: He rode the wind and tried something new. / She rode the wind and followed her dreams.
In Other Words: Be free. / Try something bravely.
50. Sail close to the wind
Meaning: Take risks.
Within a Sentence: He sailed close to the wind by skipping homework. / She’s sailing close to the wind with that prank.
In Other Words: Almost get in trouble. / Taking chances.
51. A tidal wave of emotion
Meaning: A lot of feelings all at once.
Within a Sentence: He felt a tidal wave of emotion at the goodbye. / Her face showed a tidal wave of emotion.
In Other Words: Felt everything at once. / Big feelings.
52. Sound like thunder
Meaning: Be very loud.
Within a Sentence: His feet sounded like thunder. / The crowd sounded like thunder after the goal.
In Other Words: Really loud. / Strong noise.
53. Dark clouds gathered
Meaning: Things are about to go wrong.
Within a Sentence: Dark clouds gathered when the teacher got quiet. / You could feel dark clouds gathering before the test.
In Other Words: Bad mood coming. / Trouble starting.
54. As stormy as the sea
Meaning: Full of problems or arguments.
Within a Sentence: Their friendship was as stormy as the sea. / The meeting was as stormy as the sea.
In Other Words: Full of conflict. / Many problems.
55. Winds of change
Meaning: Things are going to change.
Within a Sentence: The winds of change are blowing in our school. / She felt the winds of change after moving.
In Other Words: Big changes are coming. / Things will be different.
56. Thunder down
Meaning: To move loudly or quickly.
Within a Sentence: He thundered down the hallway. / They thundered down the stairs.
In Other Words: Moved fast and loud. / Rushed.
57. Storm warning
Meaning: A sign that trouble is coming.
Within a Sentence: His tone was a storm warning. / The letter felt like a storm warning.
In Other Words: Watch out. / Trouble may start soon.
58. The storm broke
Meaning: A big argument or problem started.
Within a Sentence: The storm broke when they started yelling. / The storm broke after the secret was shared.
In Other Words: Things got worse fast. / The fight began.
59. Thunder in your chest
Meaning: Feeling nervous or excited.
Within a Sentence: I felt thunder in my chest before my speech. / She had thunder in her chest at the finish line.
In Other Words: Strong feelings inside. / Nervous or excited.
60. Out of the storm
Meaning: The trouble is over.
Within a Sentence: We are finally out of the storm. / She felt better now that they were out of the storm.
In Other Words: It’s all over now. / Things are calm again.
True/False Quiz: Idioms about Storms
1. “Weather the storm” means to give up during hard times.
2. If someone “storms out,” they leave calmly and slowly.
3. “A storm of emotions” means someone is feeling many strong things at once.
4. “Under the weather” is another way to say someone feels great.
5. If a person is “on cloud nine,” they are feeling very happy.
6. Saying “the calm before the storm” means things are peaceful now, but something bad might happen soon.
7. “Throw caution to the wind” means to be very careful with your actions.
8. When it’s “raining cats and dogs,” it’s raining very hard.
9. “A bolt from the blue” means something boring and normal happened.
10. “Storm warning” shows a sign that trouble might come.
11. “Wind knocked out of your sails” means someone feels sad or let down.
12. “Come rain or shine” means something will happen no matter what.
13. If someone “has their head in the clouds,” they are focused and serious.
14. “A tidal wave of emotion” means someone has no feelings.
15. “Out of the storm” means the problem is over.
Answers
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Storm Idioms Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get storm idioms, great work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about storm idioms together!
Conclusion
Storm idioms help us talk about strong feelings or tough times using weather words. Phrases like “storm brewing” or “weather the storm” make our thoughts more interesting and easy to picture. They don’t mean exactly what they say, but they make language fun and clear.
Now that you’ve learned 60 storm idioms, try using them when you write or speak. They can help you explain big feelings or exciting events in a smart and fun way. Keep practicing, and you’ll get better at spotting and using these expressions.
