80 Best Weather Idioms to Transform ESL Vocabulary Fast

If you want to make your ESL classes more fun and interesting, learning weather idioms is a great way to do it. Weather idioms are common expressions that people use in everyday conversations. They help students sound more natural and confident when they speak English.

This post is the best resource for teachers who want to bring weather topics alive in their classrooms. We have collected 80 useful weather idioms that you can easily teach your students. Each idiom comes with clear meanings, example sentences, and questions to help learners practice.

You can use these idioms to create different activities like conversations, role-plays, and debates. They also help expand your students’ weather vocabulary in a fun way. Using idioms makes language learning more exciting because students can relate to common expressions they hear outside the classroom.

Whether you want to prepare speaking exercises, discussion questions, or vocabulary lessons, this post gives you everything in one place. So keep reading and get ready to bring energy and real-life English into your weather lessons!

Why Weather Idioms Are Important in ESL Learning

Weather idioms are an important part of English. They are used a lot by native speakers in daily talks. When ESL students learn these idioms, they can understand real conversations better. This helps them feel more confident when they listen or speak.

Using weather idioms also makes speaking more natural and interesting. Instead of just using simple words, students can add color and meaning with idioms. This helps them sound closer to native speakers.

Teachers can use weather idioms to teach students about culture too. Many idioms come from how people live and feel about weather. So, students learn English and culture at the same time.

Finally, learning weather idioms helps students remember new words better. Idioms are fun and easy to remember because they create images in the mind. This makes learning more enjoyable and effective.

That is why weather idioms are very useful in ESL classes and should be part of every student’s learning journey.

1. A face like thunder

Meaning: Someone looks very angry or upset.

Example Sentences:

1. Dad came home with a face like thunder.
2. The coach had a face like thunder after the loss.
3. She walked out with a face like thunder.

Context Questions:

1. When did you last see a face like thunder?
2. How do you react to someone with a face like thunder?
3. What can calm an angry person quickly?

2. A storm in a teacup

Meaning: A small problem that people treat as a big one.

Example Sentences:

1. Their argument was just a storm in a teacup.
2. The media made a storm in a teacup over the typo.
3. Don’t worry; it’s only a storm in a teacup.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever made a storm in a teacup?
2. Why do small issues become big sometimes?
3. How can you avoid overreacting?

3. A windfall

Meaning: An unexpected amount of money or good luck.

Example Sentences:

1. She got a windfall from an old insurance claim.
2. Winning the prize felt like a windfall.
3. They used the windfall to pay debts.

Context Questions:

1. What would you do with a sudden windfall?
2. Have you ever received extra money by surprise?
3. Is saving or spending better after a windfall?

4. As right as rain

Meaning: Completely healthy or fine again.

Example Sentences:

1. After rest, I felt as right as rain.
2. The car is now as right as rain.
3. She will be as right as rain tomorrow.

Context Questions:

1. When did you last feel as right as rain?
2. What helps you become healthy quickly?
3. Do you fix things until they are as right as rain?

5. Be snowed under

Meaning: Have too much work to do.

Example Sentences:

1. I’m snowed under with assignments.
2. She feels snowed under before exams.
3. They were snowed under after the holiday rush.

Context Questions:

1. When do you feel snowed under at work?
2. How do you manage heavy workloads?
3. Who helps you when you are snowed under?

6. Blow hot and cold

Meaning: Keep changing opinions or feelings.

Example Sentences:

1. He blows hot and cold about the trip.
2. The weather blows hot and cold in spring.
3. Don’t trust someone who blows hot and cold.

Context Questions:

1. Do you know anyone who blows hot and cold?
2. How do mood changes affect plans?
3. What can steady a person’s decisions?

7. Bolt from the blue

Meaning: A sudden and surprising event.

Example Sentences:

1. Her call was a bolt from the blue.
2. The news hit us like a bolt from the blue.
3. The decision came as a bolt from the blue.

Context Questions:

1. Have you had a bolt-from-the-blue moment?
2. How do you handle sudden surprises?
3. Is a bolt from the blue always bad?

8. Brainstorm

Meaning: Quickly think of many ideas.

Example Sentences:

1. Let’s brainstorm for the project.
2. The team brainstormed new slogans.
3. We brainstorm every Friday.

Context Questions:

1. When do you brainstorm at work or study?
2. What helps you think of ideas fast?
3. Do you enjoy group brainstorming?

9. Break the ice

Meaning: Start a friendly talk in a new situation.

Example Sentences:

1. A joke helped break the ice.
2. Games can break the ice in class.
3. She broke the ice with a smile.

Context Questions:

1. How do you break the ice with strangers?
2. What ice-breakers work in your culture?
3. Is breaking the ice easy for you?

10. Calm before the storm

Meaning: A quiet time before trouble starts.

Example Sentences:

1. The office was silent, the calm before the storm.
2. Exams felt like the calm before the storm.
3. Enjoy this calm before the storm of visitors.

Context Questions:

1. Have you sensed a calm before the storm?
2. How do you prepare for busy times?
3. Does calm make you relaxed or nervous?

11. Chase rainbows

Meaning: Try to reach impossible goals.

Example Sentences:

1. He’s chasing rainbows with that plan.
2. Don’t chase rainbows; be realistic.
3. Some dreams are like chasing rainbows.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever chased rainbows?
2. Why do people set impossible goals?
3. Can chasing rainbows be useful?

12. Cloud nine

Meaning: Very happy and excited.

Example Sentences:

1. She was on cloud nine after the win.
2. Their wedding put them on cloud nine.
3. A good grade put him on cloud nine.

Context Questions:

1. What puts you on cloud nine?
2. How long does cloud-nine joy last for you?
3. How do you show cloud-nine happiness?

13. Come rain or shine

Meaning: Do something no matter what happens.

Example Sentences:

1. He jogs daily, come rain or shine.
2. We will meet at 5, come rain or shine.
3. The show goes on, come rain or shine.

Context Questions:

1. What tasks do you do come rain or shine?
2. Why is routine important?
3. How do you stay committed?

14. Cool as a cucumber

Meaning: Very calm in stressful situations.

Example Sentences:

1. She stayed cool as a cucumber during the test.
2. He spoke cool as a cucumber on stage.
3. The pilot was cool as a cucumber.

Context Questions:

1. Are you cool as a cucumber under pressure?
2. What helps you stay calm?
3. Who is the coolest person you know?

15. Covered in frost

Meaning: Very cold and lightly frozen.

Example Sentences:

1. The grass was covered in frost at dawn.
2. Her car was covered in frost this morning.
3. The windows looked covered in frost.

Context Questions:

1. Have you seen things covered in frost?
2. How do you keep warm on frosty days?
3. Does frost affect travel in your city?

16. Dead of winter

Meaning: The coldest and darkest part of winter.

Example Sentences:

1. The lake freezes in the dead of winter.
2. We stayed indoors during the dead of winter.
3. Dead of winter is hard for farmers.

Context Questions:

1. What do you do in the dead of winter?
2. How is the weather in the dead of winter where you live?
3. What is your favorite season, and why not winter?

17. Don’t have the foggiest idea

Meaning: To not know anything about something.

Example Sentences:

1. I don’t have the foggiest idea about his plan.
2. She didn’t have the foggiest idea how to fix it.
3. We don’t have the foggiest idea where he went.

Context Questions:

1. When did you last not have the foggiest idea?
2. How do you find answers when you don’t know?
3. Is it okay to say you don’t have a foggy idea?

18. Dry spell

Meaning: A period of time without rain or success.

Example Sentences:

1. The garden suffered during the dry spell.
2. He went through a dry spell without work.
3. The team had a dry spell this season.

Context Questions:

1. How do dry spells affect farmers?
2. Have you ever had a dry spell in your life?
3. What helps end a dry spell?

19. Every cloud has a silver lining

Meaning: Something good can come from bad situations.

Example Sentences:

1. Losing my job was hard, but every cloud has a silver lining.
2. Every cloud has a silver lining, so don’t give up.
3. She found a new friend; every cloud has a silver lining.

Context Questions:

1. Can you share a time when a bad thing had a silver lining?
2. How does this saying help you feel better?
3. Do you believe every cloud has a silver lining? Why?

20. Eye of the storm

Meaning: The calm center of a difficult or dangerous situation.

Example Sentences:

1. The town was in the eye of the storm during the hurricane.
2. She stayed calm in the eye of the storm at work.
3. The eye of the storm passed quickly.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever been in the eye of the storm?
2. How do you stay calm in tough situations?
3. What does being in the eye of the storm feel like?

21. Fair-weather friend

Meaning: A friend who is only there in good times.

Example Sentences:

1. He’s just a fair-weather friend; he left when I needed help.
2. Don’t trust a fair-weather friend.
3. Fair-weather friends disappear during hard times.

Context Questions:

1. Have you had a fair-weather friend?
2. What qualities make a true friend?
3. How do you react when a fair-weather friend leaves?

22. Feel under the weather

Meaning: To feel sick or not well.

Example Sentences:

1. I feel under the weather today, so I stayed home.
2. She felt under the weather after the trip.
3. If you feel under the weather, rest is best.

Context Questions:

1. When do you usually feel under the weather?
2. What do you do when you feel under the weather?
3. How do you tell someone you feel under the weather?

23. Flood of tears

Meaning: Crying a lot or uncontrollably.

Example Sentences:

1. She cried a flood of tears after the sad news.
2. The movie caused a flood of tears in the audience.
3. He was overcome with a flood of tears.

Context Questions:

1. When was the last time you had a flood of tears?
2. Why do people cry floods of tears sometimes?
3. How do you comfort someone with a flood of tears?

24. Fog of war

Meaning: Confusion and lack of clear information in a conflict.

Example Sentences:

1. The soldiers worked in the fog of war.
2. The plan failed because of the fog of war.
3. Decisions are hard in the fog of war.

Context Questions:

1. Have you felt confused like in the fog of war?
2. How do you make good choices in confusion?
3. What helps clear the fog of war in life?

25. Freeze out

Meaning: To exclude someone or treat them coldly.

Example Sentences:

1. He was frozen out of the group.
2. They tried to freeze her out of the meeting.
3. Don’t freeze people out; include everyone.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever been frozen out by others?
2. How does it feel to freeze someone out?
3. What can you do if someone freezes you out?

26. Freezing point

Meaning: The temperature at which water becomes ice.

Example Sentences:

1. Water freezes at the freezing point of 0°C.
2. The temperature reached the freezing point last night.
3. At freezing point, lakes can freeze solid.

Context Questions:

1. What is the freezing point in your country?
2. How do you prepare for freezing point temperatures?
3. Have you seen water freeze at the freezing point?

27. Full of hot air

Meaning: Talking a lot but saying nothing important or true.

Example Sentences:

1. He is full of hot air about his success.
2. Don’t listen to him; he is full of hot air.
3. The politician’s speech was full of hot air.

Context Questions:

1. Have you met someone full of hot air?
2. How do you respond to people full of hot air?
3. Why do some people talk without meaning?

28. Get wind of something

Meaning: To hear news or a secret.

Example Sentences:

1. I got wind of the surprise party.
2. The manager got wind of the plan to resign.
3. Don’t let them get wind of our secret.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever gotten wind of a surprise?
2. How do you keep secrets safe?
3. What do you do if you get wind of important news?

29. Gloom and doom

Meaning: A feeling that everything will be bad or fail.

Example Sentences:

1. The news was full of gloom and doom.
2. Don’t listen to gloom and doom stories.
3. She spoke with gloom and doom about the future.

Context Questions:

1. Have you felt gloom and doom before?
2. How do you stay positive against gloom and doom?
3. What causes gloom and doom feelings?

30. Go down a storm

Meaning: To be very successful or popular.

Example Sentences:

1. The new song went down a storm at the party.
2. Her presentation went down a storm with the audience.
3. The joke went down a storm and made everyone laugh.

Context Questions:

1. When did something you did go down a storm?
2. What makes a plan go down a storm?
3. How do you celebrate success that goes down a storm?

31. Guts for garters (stormy punishment)

Meaning: To punish someone very severely.

Example Sentences:

1. The coach gave the team guts for garters after the loss.
2. He got guts for garters from his parents for breaking the rules.
3. The boss gave guts for garters to the employee who made a big mistake.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever received guts for garters?
2. What kind of punishment do you think is fair?
3. How do you feel after a harsh punishment?

32. Hail of criticism

Meaning: A lot of strong negative comments or blame.

Example Sentences:

1. The politician faced a hail of criticism after the speech.
2. She was under a hail of criticism for her decision.
3. The company received a hail of criticism about the product.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever faced a hail of criticism?
2. How do you handle many negative comments?
3. Can criticism help improve something?

33. Have a stormy relationship

Meaning: To have a relationship with many arguments or problems.

Example Sentences:

1. They have a stormy relationship but still love each other.
2. My parents had a stormy relationship when I was young.
3. Stormy relationships are hard to keep.

Context Questions:

1. Do you know someone with a stormy relationship?
2. How do you solve problems in a stormy relationship?
3. Can stormy relationships get better? How?

34. Head in the clouds

Meaning: To be daydreaming or not paying attention.

Example Sentences:

1. She has her head in the clouds during class.
2. Don’t keep your head in the clouds when driving.
3. Sometimes I have my head in the clouds thinking about the future.

Context Questions:

1. When do you have your head in the clouds?
2. Is it good to daydream? Why or why not?
3. How do you stay focused when your head is in the clouds?

35. Heaven knows

Meaning: Used to say that no one knows something for sure.

Example Sentences:

1. Heaven knows what will happen next.
2. Heaven knows why she left early.
3. Heaven knows how he found the answer.

Context Questions:

1. What is something you think heaven knows?
2. When do you use the phrase heaven knows?
3. Do you believe some things are unknown to everyone?

36. Hit like a thunderbolt

Meaning: To surprise or shock someone suddenly.

Example Sentences:

1. The news hit me like a thunderbolt.
2. Her decision hit us like a thunderbolt.
3. The accident hit the town like a thunderbolt.

Context Questions:

1. When were you hit like a thunderbolt by news?
2. How do you react to sudden shocks?
3. Can good news hit like a thunderbolt too?

37. Hot air

Meaning: Talking a lot without saying anything important or true.

Example Sentences:

1. Don’t listen to him; it’s just hot air.
2. His promises are full of hot air.
3. The debate was full of hot air and no facts.

Context Questions:

1. Have you heard someone full of hot air?
2. How do you stop someone from talking hot air?
3. Why do people talk hot air sometimes?

38. Hot under the collar

Meaning: Angry or upset about something.

Example Sentences:

1. He got hot under the collar when late.
2. She was hot under the collar after the argument.
3. Don’t get hot under the collar over small things.

Context Questions:

1. What makes you hot under the collar?
2. How do you calm down when angry?
3. Is it good to express anger? Why or why not?

39. Hurricane force

Meaning: Very strong or powerful, like a hurricane.

Example Sentences:

1. The wind blew with hurricane force last night.
2. His words hit with hurricane force.
3. The team played with hurricane force energy.

Context Questions:

1. Have you experienced hurricane force weather?
2. What is something powerful in your life?
3. How do you prepare for strong forces?

40. Ice in the veins

Meaning: To be very calm and brave in a difficult situation.

Example Sentences:

1. The soldier had ice in the veins during battle.
2. She showed ice in the veins during the exam.
3. A good leader has ice in the veins.

Context Questions:

1. When have you had ice in the veins?
2. How do you stay brave in hard times?
3. Who do you know with ice in the veins?

41. In a fog

Meaning: Confused or not able to think clearly.

Example Sentences:

1. I was in a fog after waking up.
2. He worked in a fog and made mistakes.
3. Sometimes stress makes me feel in a fog.

Context Questions:

1. When do you feel in a fog?
2. How do you clear your mind?
3. What helps you think clearly again?

42. In the heat of the moment

Meaning: Doing something without thinking because of strong feelings.

Example Sentences:

1. He said sorry for words in the heat of the moment.
2. Don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment.
3. In the heat of the moment, she shouted loudly.

Context Questions:

1. Have you done something in the heat of the moment?
2. How do you control your feelings?
3. What helps you stay calm in strong emotions?

43. In the eye of the storm

Meaning: In the calm center of a bad situation.

Example Sentences:

1. The town was in the eye of the storm during the flood.
2. She felt calm in the eye of the storm at work.
3. We waited in the eye of the storm for the danger to pass.

Context Questions:

1. How do you stay calm in the eye of the storm?
2. Have you been in the eye of the storm before?
3. What is the hardest thing about staying calm in trouble?

44. In the wind

Meaning: Rumors or news that people are talking about.

Example Sentences:

1. There are rumors in the wind about a new job.
2. The news was in the wind before the official announcement.
3. I heard something in the wind about the party.

Context Questions:

1. What rumors have you heard in the wind?
2. How do you check if news in the wind is true?
3. Do you like or dislike rumors in the wind? Why?

45. It never rains but it pours

Meaning: Bad things often happen all at once.

Example Sentences:

1. First I lost my keys, then my phone—it never rains but it pours.
2. After one problem, many came. It never rains but it pours.
3. It never rains but it pours when things go wrong.

Context Questions:

1. Have you experienced a time when it never rains but it pours?
2. How do you handle many problems at once?
3. Do good things ever happen all at once for you?

46. Jack Frost nipping at your nose

Meaning: It is very cold outside, especially in winter.

Example Sentences:

1. Be careful outside; Jack Frost is nipping at your nose.
2. I love the snow when Jack Frost nips at your nose.
3. Jack Frost was nipping at my nose during the walk.

Context Questions:

1. Have you felt Jack Frost nipping at your nose?
2. What do you do to stay warm in cold weather?
3. Do you like cold weather when Jack Frost comes?

47. Just one cloud

Meaning: One small problem in an otherwise good situation.

Example Sentences:

1. The day was perfect with just one cloud.
2. Everything went well, but there was just one cloud.
3. Don’t worry about just one cloud in your plans.

Context Questions:

1. Can you remember a day with just one cloud?
2. How do you handle small problems?
3. Is it easy to ignore just one cloud? Why?

48. Know which way the wind blows

Meaning: To understand the situation or how things will develop.

Example Sentences:

1. I know which way the wind blows about the job.
2. Before acting, she knew which way the wind blows.
3. Politicians try to know which way the wind blows.

Context Questions:

1. How do you know which way the wind blows in your life?
2. Why is it important to understand the situation?
3. Have you ever made a wrong choice because you didn’t know which way the wind blows?

49. Lightning fast

Meaning: Very quick or fast.

Example Sentences:

1. He answered the question lightning fast.
2. The cheetah runs lightning fast.
3. I made the decision lightning fast.

Context Questions:

1. When do you have to be lightning fast?
2. What is the fastest thing you have seen?
3. Do you prefer to work lightning fast or slowly? Why?

50. Lightning never strikes twice

Meaning: Something bad is unlikely to happen twice in the same way.

Example Sentences:

1. I lost my wallet, but lightning never strikes twice.
2. Don’t worry; lightning never strikes twice in the same place.
3. He believes lightning never strikes twice in one day.

Context Questions:

1. Do you believe lightning never strikes twice?
2. Have you experienced bad luck twice?
3. How do you stay positive after problems?

51. Make hay while the sun shines

Meaning: Take advantage of good opportunities before they end.

Example Sentences:

1. Make hay while the sun shines and study now.
2. We should make hay while the sun shines and sell our crops.
3. She made hay while the sun shines by working hard.

Context Questions:

1. When do you make hay while the sun shines?
2. What opportunities should people never miss?
3. How do you take advantage of good times?

52. Misty-eyed

Meaning: Feeling emotional or about to cry.

Example Sentences:

1. He was misty-eyed at the graduation.
2. The movie made me misty-eyed.
3. She looked misty-eyed when saying goodbye.

Context Questions:

1. When do you feel misty-eyed?
2. What makes you emotional?
3. How do you express your feelings?

53. Mood like a thundercloud

Meaning: Feeling angry or bad-tempered.

Example Sentences:

1. He had a mood like a thundercloud all day.
2. Don’t talk to her; she has a mood like a thundercloud.
3. The boss’s mood was like a thundercloud after the news.

Context Questions:

1. When was your last mood like a thundercloud?
2. How do you calm down from a bad mood?
3. How do moods affect others?

54. Morning frost

Meaning: Frost that forms early in the morning when it is cold.

Example Sentences:

1. The plants were covered in morning frost.
2. We saw morning frost on the windows today.
3. Morning frost means a cold day ahead.

Context Questions:

1. Have you seen morning frost?
2. How do you prepare for cold mornings?
3. Does morning frost affect your daily plans?

55. Muddy the waters

Meaning: To make a situation more confusing or unclear.

Example Sentences:

1. The new information only muddies the waters.
2. Don’t muddy the waters with too many details.
3. His answer muddied the waters instead of helping.

Context Questions:

1. When have you muddied the waters by mistake?
2. How do you keep explanations clear?
3. Why do some people muddy the waters on purpose?

56. My mind’s gone blank as a blizzard

Meaning: To suddenly forget everything or be unable to think clearly.

Example Sentences:

1. During the test, my mind went blank as a blizzard.
2. I wanted to speak, but my mind was blank as a blizzard.
3. She felt blank as a blizzard before the exam.

Context Questions:

1. When has your mind gone blank as a blizzard?
2. How do you remember things better?
3. What helps you calm down when your mind is blank?

57. Not a cloud in the sky

Meaning: The sky is clear and sunny, meaning good weather.

Example Sentences:

1. It was a perfect day with not a cloud in the sky.
2. We had a picnic when there was not a cloud in the sky.
3. Not a cloud in the sky meant a great day for hiking.

Context Questions:

1. When was the last time you saw not a cloud in the sky?
2. Do you prefer sunny days with no clouds? Why?
3. How does weather affect your mood?

58. On cloud nine

Meaning: Very happy and excited.

Example Sentences:

1. She was on cloud nine after getting the job.
2. They were on cloud nine at their wedding.
3. I felt on cloud nine after the good news.

Context Questions:

1. What makes you feel on cloud nine?
2. How do you celebrate when you’re on cloud nine?
3. How long does cloud-nine feeling last for you?

59. On thin ice

Meaning: In a risky or dangerous situation.

Example Sentences:

1. You are on thin ice if you keep coming late.
2. He was on thin ice after breaking the rule.
3. The company is on thin ice with low sales.

Context Questions:

1. When have you been on thin ice?
2. How do you avoid being on thin ice?
3. What happens if you stay on thin ice too long?

60. Out of the blue

Meaning: Something happening suddenly and unexpectedly.

Example Sentences:

1. The phone call came out of the blue.
2. Out of the blue, she decided to move abroad.
3. The news arrived out of the blue and surprised us.

Context Questions:

1. Have you experienced something out of the blue?
2. How do you react to unexpected events?
3. Can out-of-the-blue events be good or bad? Which?

61. Rain cats and dogs

Meaning: To rain very heavily.

Example Sentences:

1. It was raining cats and dogs all night.
2. We got wet because it rained cats and dogs.
3. The game was canceled due to rain cats and dogs.

Context Questions:

1. Have you been caught in rain cats and dogs?
2. What do you do when it rains cats and dogs?
3. How does heavy rain affect your plans?

62. Rain on someone’s parade

Meaning: To spoil someone’s fun or plans.

Example Sentences:

1. Don’t rain on her parade; she’s happy.
2. The bad news rained on his parade.
3. I don’t want to rain on your parade, but it’s late.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever rained on someone’s parade?
2. How do you react if someone rains on your parade?
3. How can you cheer someone whose parade was rained on?

63. Raining buckets

Meaning: To rain very heavily, similar to “raining cats and dogs.”

Example Sentences:

1. It was raining buckets during the trip.
2. We stayed inside because it was raining buckets.
3. The street flooded from raining buckets.

Context Questions:

1. How do you prepare when it’s raining buckets?
2. Have you ever driven in rain raining buckets?
3. What activities do you avoid when raining buckets?

64. Reach a boiling point

Meaning: To become very angry or upset.

Example Sentences:

1. He reached a boiling point after waiting for hours.
2. The argument reached a boiling point quickly.
3. I try not to reach a boiling point during stress.

Context Questions:

1. What makes you reach a boiling point?
2. How do you calm down before reaching a boiling point?
3. Is it good to express feelings when at boiling point? Why?

65. Save for a rainy day

Meaning: To save money or something for a future time of need.

Example Sentences:

1. I always save for a rainy day.
2. It’s smart to save money for a rainy day.
3. She saved food for a rainy day.

Context Questions:

1. Do you save for a rainy day?
2. What things should people save for a rainy day?
3. How do you plan for future problems?

66. Scorched earth

Meaning: To destroy everything so no one else can use it.

Example Sentences:

1. The army used scorched earth tactics in war.
2. He left the company with scorched earth policies.
3. Scorched earth leaves nothing behind.

Context Questions:

1. Have you seen scorched earth in stories or news?
2. Why would someone use scorched earth tactics?
3. What are the problems with scorched earth actions?

67. Season of change

Meaning: A time when many changes happen.

Example Sentences:

1. Spring is a season of change.
2. My life is in a season of change right now.
3. Seasons of change can be hard but exciting.

Context Questions:

1. What season of change are you in?
2. How do you feel during a season of change?
3. What helps you manage change?

68. Shoot the breeze

Meaning: To have a casual, relaxed conversation.

Example Sentences:

1. We sat on the porch and shot the breeze.
2. They love to shoot the breeze after work.
3. Shooting the breeze helps us relax.

Context Questions:

1. Who do you like to shoot the breeze with?
2. What topics do you enjoy in casual talks?
3. How often do you shoot the breeze?

69. Snowball effect

Meaning: A small action that grows bigger quickly.

Example Sentences:

1. The problem had a snowball effect and got worse.
2. One mistake caused a snowball effect at work.
3. Good habits can have a snowball effect.

Context Questions:

1. Have you seen a snowball effect in your life?
2. How can small actions lead to big results?
3. How do you stop a bad snowball effect?

70. Snowed in

Meaning: Unable to leave because of heavy snow.

Example Sentences:

1. We were snowed in during the winter storm.
2. The village was snowed in for three days.
3. Being snowed in can be fun or frustrating.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever been snowed in?
2. What do you do when snowed in?
3. How do you prepare for being snowed in?

71. Soak to the skin

Meaning: To get completely wet.

Example Sentences:

1. I was soaked to the skin after the rain.
2. The children got soaked to the skin playing outside.
3. Don’t go out without an umbrella or you’ll be soaked to the skin.

Context Questions:

1. When were you last soaked to the skin?
2. How do you protect yourself from getting soaked?
3. Is being soaked to the skin fun sometimes? When?

72. Steal someone’s thunder

Meaning: To take attention or praise away from someone else.

Example Sentences:

1. She stole my thunder by announcing her news first.
2. Don’t steal his thunder during the meeting.
3. He felt angry when someone stole his thunder.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever stolen someone’s thunder?
2. How do you feel if your thunder is stolen?
3. How can you share attention fairly?

73. Storm brews

Meaning: Trouble or problems are starting to happen.

Example Sentences:

1. A storm brews between the two friends.
2. We could see a storm brews in the company.
3. Trouble brews when people don’t talk.

Context Questions:

1. When have you noticed a storm brewing?
2. How do you stop a storm from brewing?
3. What signs show that a storm is brewing?

74. Storm off

Meaning: To leave angrily.

Example Sentences:

1. She stormed off after the argument.
2. Don’t storm off; let’s talk it out.
3. He stormed off without saying goodbye.

Context Questions:

1. When was the last time you stormed off?
2. How do you feel after storming off?
3. What is a better way than storming off?

75. Stormy seas ahead

Meaning: Difficult or troubled times coming.

Example Sentences:

1. The company warned of stormy seas ahead.
2. We must prepare for stormy seas ahead in life.
3. Stormy seas ahead mean we must stay strong.

Context Questions:

1. Are you facing stormy seas ahead?
2. How do you prepare for hard times?
3. What helps you stay calm during stormy seas?

76. Take a rain check

Meaning: To politely say no now but agree to do something later.

Example Sentences:

1. I can’t meet today, but I’ll take a rain check.
2. She took a rain check on the party invitation.
3. Let’s take a rain check and meet next week.

Context Questions:

1. When have you taken a rain check?
2. How do you politely refuse and offer to do it later?
3. Do you like taking or giving rain checks? Why?

77. Tempest in a teapot

Meaning: A small problem made to seem much bigger.

Example Sentences:

1. Their argument was just a tempest in a teapot.
2. Don’t worry, it’s a tempest in a teapot.
3. The news was a tempest in a teapot blown out of proportion.

Context Questions:

1. Can you remember a tempest in a teapot?
2. How do you stay calm when small problems happen?
3. Why do people sometimes overreact?

78. There’s a chill in the air

Meaning: The weather is getting colder.

Example Sentences:

1. There’s a chill in the air as autumn comes.
2. I felt there’s a chill in the air this morning.
3. We need warmer clothes because there’s a chill in the air.

Context Questions:

1. When do you first notice there’s a chill in the air?
2. How do you dress when there’s a chill in the air?
3. Do you like chilly weather? Why or why not?

79. Throw caution to the wind

Meaning: To take a risk without worrying about the dangers.

Example Sentences:

1. He threw caution to the wind and tried skydiving.
2. Sometimes you must throw caution to the wind to succeed.
3. Don’t throw caution to the wind in dangerous places.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever thrown caution to the wind?
2. When is it good or bad to take risks?
3. How do you decide when to take a risk?

80. Weather the storm

Meaning: To survive a difficult time or problem.

Example Sentences:

1. The company managed to weather the storm during the crisis.
2. We must weather the storm together.
3. She weathered the storm of bad news well.

Context Questions:

1. Have you had to weather the storm in your life?
2. What helps people weather storms?
3. How do you support others to weather their storms?

Conclusion

Learning weather idioms is a great way to improve English skills. These idioms make speaking and listening more natural and fun. They help students understand real conversations better and add variety to their language.

Using weather idioms in ESL classes also helps students learn about culture and express ideas clearly. Teachers can create many activities with these idioms to make lessons interesting.

By practicing weather idioms regularly, students will become more confident and fluent in English. This resource gives you a strong foundation to teach and learn important weather idioms easily.

FAQs about using weather idioms in ESL class

What are weather idioms?
Weather idioms are phrases using weather words that have special meanings. They are used in everyday English to express ideas in a fun way.

Why should ESL students learn weather idioms?
Because they help students understand real English better and speak more naturally. They also make learning more fun and interesting.

How can teachers use weather idioms in class?
Teachers can use idioms to create conversations, role-plays, debates, and vocabulary lessons. These activities help students practice speaking and listening.

Are weather idioms hard to learn?
No, they can be easy if students learn their meanings and practice with examples and questions. Using images or stories helps remember them too.

Can weather idioms be used in writing?
Yes, weather idioms can make writing more lively and interesting, especially in stories or personal letters.

How do idioms help with vocabulary?
Idioms introduce new words in a fun way and show how words work together in English, improving overall vocabulary skills.

What level of students can learn weather idioms?
Weather idioms are good for intermediate and advanced learners but can also be introduced in simple ways for beginners.

How often should students practice weather idioms?
Regular practice helps most. Using idioms in daily conversations or class activities is best for remembering them well.

Can weather idioms be confusing for ESL learners?
Sometimes yes, because idioms do not always mean what the words say literally. That’s why clear explanations and examples are important.

Where can I find more weather idioms and examples?
This post provides 80 common weather idioms with meanings and examples, which is a great place to start learning and teaching.