Thunder is loud and strong. When we hear it, we might feel surprised or even scared. Because of how powerful thunder sounds, people often use it to describe big feelings. One way to do this is with idioms. Idioms are phrases that mean something different from the exact words used. They help make speaking and writing more interesting.
In this article, we will learn about idioms that include the word “thunder” or relate to thunder. These idioms can help show strong emotions, big surprises, or loud actions. They paint pictures in our minds. Let’s explore some of these thunder idioms and see how people use them in real life.
Idioms for Thunder
1. Thunderstruck
Meaning: Very surprised or shocked.
Within a Sentence: I was thunderstruck when I saw the huge birthday cake. / Mom looked thunderstruck when she heard the news.
In Other Words: Really surprised. / Couldn’t believe it.
2. Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: To take credit for someone else’s idea or success.
Within a Sentence: I worked hard on the project, but my friend stole my thunder. / He stole my thunder by telling my story first.
In Other Words: Took the praise. / Got credit for something I did.
3. Thunder down
Meaning: To move very fast and loudly, like thunder.
Within a Sentence: The players thundered down the field. / He thundered down the stairs to get his snack.
In Other Words: Ran fast and loud. / Moved with noise.
4. Rolling thunder
Meaning: A deep, rumbling sound that lasts a while.
Within a Sentence: We heard rolling thunder during the storm. / The rolling thunder made my dog hide.
In Other Words: Long thunder sound. / Rumble in the sky.
5. A face like thunder
Meaning: Looking very angry.
Within a Sentence: Dad had a face like thunder after seeing the mess. / She walked in with a face like thunder.
In Other Words: Looked really mad. / Seemed upset.
6. Thunderous applause
Meaning: Very loud clapping.
Within a Sentence: The crowd gave thunderous applause after the show. / We heard thunderous applause from the gym.
In Other Words: Very loud cheering. / Huge claps.
7. Thunder in your voice
Meaning: Speaking loudly and with strong feeling.
Within a Sentence: He had thunder in his voice during the speech. / Her voice had thunder when she got mad.
In Other Words: Loud and powerful voice. / Strong speaking.
8. Ride the thunder
Meaning: To face something difficult or brave.
Within a Sentence: The firefighter rode the thunder into danger. / She rode the thunder and gave her speech.
In Other Words: Faced something scary. / Did something brave.
9. Thundered out
Meaning: Said something in a loud, strong way.
Within a Sentence: The teacher thundered out the rules. / He thundered out his warning.
In Other Words: Spoke loudly. / Said with force.
10. Like thunder
Meaning: Very loud.
Within a Sentence: The door slammed like thunder. / Her scream was like thunder.
In Other Words: Super loud. / Big noise.
11. Thunder in the distance
Meaning: Trouble might be coming soon.
Within a Sentence: I felt like there was thunder in the distance when Mom got quiet. / The team felt thunder in the distance before the hard game.
In Other Words: Something bad might happen. / Trouble is near.
12. Thunder away
Meaning: To talk or shout loudly for a long time.
Within a Sentence: The coach thundered away during practice. / She thundered away about the mess.
In Other Words: Yelled a lot. / Spoke loudly and long.
13. Thunder into action
Meaning: To suddenly start doing something quickly.
Within a Sentence: The kids thundered into action when the bell rang. / We thundered into action to clean up.
In Other Words: Moved fast. / Started quickly.
14. Like a clap of thunder
Meaning: Very sudden or shocking.
Within a Sentence: The news came like a clap of thunder. / Her words hit like a clap of thunder.
In Other Words: Big surprise. / Very sudden.
15. Thundered through
Meaning: Passed by quickly and noisily.
Within a Sentence: The truck thundered through the street. / The runners thundered through the hallway.
In Other Words: Moved fast and loud. / Zoomed by.
16. The thunder rolled
Meaning: A storm is starting or something bad is about to happen.
Within a Sentence: As the thunder rolled, we ran inside. / The thunder rolled, and my dog barked.
In Other Words: Storm was coming. / Big sound began.
17. Sound like thunder
Meaning: Something is very noisy.
Within a Sentence: The kids running sounded like thunder. / Her shouting sounded like thunder.
In Other Words: Very loud noise. / Big sound.
18. Roar like thunder
Meaning: Make a deep, loud sound.
Within a Sentence: The crowd roared like thunder. / The engine roared like thunder.
In Other Words: Loud and deep noise. / Big roar.
19. Thunder inside
Meaning: Feel strong emotions, like anger or fear.
Within a Sentence: I felt thunder inside when I was mad. / She had thunder inside before the big test.
In Other Words: Strong feelings. / Deep emotion.
20. Speak with thunder
Meaning: Talk loudly and with power.
Within a Sentence: He spoke with thunder at the meeting. / She spoke with thunder in her voice.
In Other Words: Powerful talking. / Loud voice.
21. Shake like thunder
Meaning: To move or tremble loudly.
Within a Sentence: The windows shook like thunder during the storm. / The floor shook like thunder when the kids ran.
In Other Words: Loud shaking. / Big rumble.
22. Thunder of feet
Meaning: Many people running loudly.
Within a Sentence: The thunder of feet filled the hallway after school. / I heard the thunder of feet as the race began.
In Other Words: Loud running. / Lots of steps.
23. Bring the thunder
Meaning: Give your full effort or power.
Within a Sentence: The team brought the thunder to the game. / She brought the thunder with her performance.
In Other Words: Gave it their all. / Did great.
24. As fast as thunder
Meaning: Very quick.
Within a Sentence: He ran as fast as thunder. / The answer came as fast as thunder.
In Other Words: Super quick. / Very speedy.
25. Clap like thunder
Meaning: Loud clapping or sound.
Within a Sentence: The audience clapped like thunder. / Their hands clapped like thunder for the winner.
In Other Words: Huge applause. / Loud claps.
26. Thunder face
Meaning: An angry or scary look.
Within a Sentence: He had a thunder face after the prank. / Her thunder face made us stop talking.
In Other Words: Mad look. / Scary face.
27. Thundered with joy
Meaning: Made loud sounds of happiness.
Within a Sentence: The room thundered with joy after the win. / We thundered with joy when school was canceled.
In Other Words: Cheered loudly. / Very happy sounds.
28. Carry the thunder
Meaning: Have strength or power in your actions.
Within a Sentence: She carried the thunder in her speech. / His ideas carried the thunder.
In Other Words: Strong voice. / Powerful.
29. Voice like thunder
Meaning: A very loud or deep voice.
Within a Sentence: Grandpa has a voice like thunder. / His voice, like thunder, made the class quiet.
In Other Words: Loud voice. / Deep sound.
30. Thunderstorm of words
Meaning: Speaking a lot and angrily.
Within a Sentence: Mom had a thunderstorm of words after seeing the mess. / He let out a thunderstorm of words during the fight.
In Other Words: Spoke angrily. / Lots of yelling.
31. Eyes full of thunder
Meaning: Looking angry or serious.
Within a Sentence: Her eyes were full of thunder when she looked at me. / His thunder eyes made me stop.
In Other Words: Angry look. / Strong stare.
32. Like thunder in the night
Meaning: Something sudden and unexpected.
Within a Sentence: Her answer came like thunder in the night. / The loud sound was like thunder in the night.
In Other Words: Big surprise. / Shocking moment.
33. Feet like thunder
Meaning: Walking very loudly.
Within a Sentence: His feet were like thunder on the stairs. / She stomped with feet like thunder.
In Other Words: Loud walking. / Big steps.
34. Clouds full of thunder
Meaning: Something bad might happen.
Within a Sentence: Her mood was like clouds full of thunder. / I saw clouds full of thunder before the fight.
In Other Words: Trouble ahead. / Warning sign.
35. March with thunder
Meaning: Move with power and purpose.
Within a Sentence: The band marched with thunder. / He marched with thunder to the stage.
In Other Words: Strong steps. / Powerful walk.
36. Heart like thunder
Meaning: Feeling strong emotions, especially fear or excitement.
Within a Sentence: My heart beat like thunder before the test. / Her heart was like thunder on the ride.
In Other Words: Nervous or excited. / Strong feelings.
37. Mind full of thunder
Meaning: Feeling confused or overwhelmed.
Within a Sentence: My mind was full of thunder after the news. / He had a thunder mind before the test.
In Other Words: Too many thoughts. / Confused.
38. Thunderous silence
Meaning: Very quiet but feels loud because it’s so serious.
Within a Sentence: There was a thunderous silence after the announcement. / The room had thunderous silence during the test.
In Other Words: Strong quiet. / Tense quiet.
39. Boom like thunder
Meaning: Make a sudden, loud sound.
Within a Sentence: The balloon popped with a boom like thunder. / His voice boomed like thunder.
In Other Words: Loud pop. / Big noise.
40. Speak thunder
Meaning: Say something powerful or important.
Within a Sentence: She spoke thunder when she stood up for her friend. / He spoke thunder in his speech.
In Other Words: Strong words. / Powerful message.
41. Walk with thunder
Meaning: Move with purpose or strength.
Within a Sentence: She walked with thunder into the room. / His thunder walk made everyone watch.
In Other Words: Strong walk. / Confident steps.
42. Loud as thunder
Meaning: Extremely noisy.
Within a Sentence: The class was as loud as thunder. / The party was loud as thunder.
In Other Words: Very noisy. / Big sound.
43. Thunder in the air
Meaning: Something exciting or scary is about to happen.
Within a Sentence: There was thunder in the air before the big game. / I felt thunder in the air at school.
In Other Words: Big moment coming. / Serious mood.
44. Storm with thunder
Meaning: A situation that gets intense or emotional.
Within a Sentence: The meeting stormed with thunder. / Her words stormed with thunder.
In Other Words: Heated talk. / Strong emotion.
45. Like thunder and lightning
Meaning: Very fast and powerful.
Within a Sentence: He moved like thunder and lightning. / The twins argued like thunder and lightning.
In Other Words: Fast and loud. / Quick fight.
46. Thunder-filled room
Meaning: A place full of noise or strong feelings.
Within a Sentence: The gym was a thunder-filled room during the pep rally. / The house was a thunder-filled room after the win.
In Other Words: Loud place. / Full of energy.
47. Bring the sound of thunder
Meaning: Add power or noise to something.
Within a Sentence: The drums brought the sound of thunder. / His voice brought the sound of thunder to the play.
In Other Words: Made it loud. / Added excitement.
48. Voice thundered
Meaning: Spoke very loudly.
Within a Sentence: His voice thundered across the playground. / She thundered her words in the hall.
In Other Words: Very loud talking. / Big voice.
49. A storm with thunder
Meaning: An event full of noise or trouble.
Within a Sentence: That argument was a storm with thunder. / Their team was a storm with thunder.
In Other Words: Loud or wild event. / Full of action.
50. Roll in like thunder
Meaning: Enter suddenly and loudly.
Within a Sentence: The kids rolled in like thunder after recess. / He rolled in like thunder to the classroom.
In Other Words: Came in loud. / Entered with a bang.
51. Shout like thunder
Meaning: Yell very loudly.
Within a Sentence: He shouted like thunder when he won. / The coach shouted like thunder.
In Other Words: Loud yelling. / Big shout.
52. Hit like thunder
Meaning: Felt strongly or suddenly.
Within a Sentence: The news hit like thunder. / Her words hit like thunder.
In Other Words: Big impact. / Strong feelings.
53. Fall like thunder
Meaning: Something happened fast and hard.
Within a Sentence: The books fell like thunder. / The tree fell like thunder in the storm.
In Other Words: Loud fall. / Big crash.
54. Wake the thunder
Meaning: Cause a loud or strong reaction.
Within a Sentence: The mistake woke the thunder in the teacher. / He woke the thunder with his joke.
In Other Words: Made people mad. / Caused a stir.
55. Crash like thunder
Meaning: Fall or hit very loudly.
Within a Sentence: The pans crashed like thunder. / Her chair crashed like thunder.
In Other Words: Big noise. / Loud fall.
56. Feet thundered
Meaning: Many people ran loudly.
Within a Sentence: The kids’ feet thundered down the hall. / Their feet thundered on the court.
In Other Words: Loud steps. / Running sounds.
57. Sound of thunder
Meaning: Loud, powerful noise.
Within a Sentence: The crowd made the sound of thunder. / The boom was the sound of thunder.
In Other Words: Big noise. / Loud roar.
58. Hear the thunder
Meaning: Get ready for something strong or serious.
Within a Sentence: You could hear the thunder before the speech. / I heard the thunder before the yelling started.
In Other Words: Warning. / Trouble ahead.
59. Burst like thunder
Meaning: Start suddenly and loudly.
Within a Sentence: The class burst like thunder with laughter. / The door burst like thunder when it opened.
In Other Words: Loud beginning. / Sudden noise.
60. Bring down the thunder
Meaning: Take strong action or show power.
Within a Sentence: The coach brought down the thunder during practice. / The hero brought down the thunder on the bad guys.
In Other Words: Took charge. / Showed power.
Idioms for Thunder – True/False Quiz
- “Thunderstruck” means you feel calm and relaxed.
True / False - If someone “steals your thunder,” they take credit for what you did.
True / False - “Thunder down the hall” means to walk quietly.
True / False - “A face like thunder” means someone looks very happy.
True / False - “Thunderous applause” means no one is clapping.
True / False - “Roar like thunder” means something is very loud.
True / False - If you have “thunder in your voice,” you’re whispering.
True / False - “Heart like thunder” means your heart is calm and slow.
True / False - “Mind full of thunder” means you’re feeling confused or overwhelmed.
True / False - “Thunderstorm of words” means someone is talking softly.
True / False - “Feet like thunder” means someone is walking very loudly.
True / False - “Thunder in the air” means something exciting or serious might happen.
True / False - If someone “brings down the thunder,” they are acting weak.
True / False - “Crash like thunder” means something falls loudly.
True / False - “Burst like thunder” means something starts quietly.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Thunder Idioms Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Thunder Idioms, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Thunder Idioms together!
Conclusion
Thunder can be scary, loud, or strong. That’s why people use thunder in idioms to describe big sounds, big feelings, or powerful actions. These idioms help make stories and talking more exciting and clear.
By learning thunder idioms, you can show how people feel or how things happen in a fun way. Keep practicing these expressions, and you’ll be able to use them in your writing and speech with confidence.
