Raining cats and dogs: meaning, examples and when to use it
Short answer: “Raining cats and dogs” means raining very hard. You say it when there is heavy rain: “Take an umbrella. It's raining cats and dogs.”
What does “Raining cats and dogs” mean in English?
The idiom is about the strength of the rain. It does not describe real animals. People use it for rain that is so heavy that going outside is not easy. The origin of this phrase is not clear.
Examples of “Raining cats and dogs”
- We stayed inside because it was raining cats and dogs.
A reason to stay home. - It's raining cats and dogs. Do you have a raincoat?
Asking about rain gear. - The match stopped when it started raining cats and dogs.
Heavy rain stops an activity.
When do you use “Raining cats and dogs”?
- To describe heavy rain in a fun way.
- To explain why you are wet or late.
- In speech and in stories.
Is “Raining cats and dogs” formal?
“Raining cats and dogs” is informal. It is fine in speech and in casual writing. In a weather report, write “heavy rain”.
Common mistakes with “Raining cats and dogs”
- Do not use it for light rain.
- It is only for rain. For snow or wind, use other words.
- Say “raining cats and dogs”, not “raining dogs and cats”.
Similar expressions
- Plain English: “It is raining hard.” Other weather talk: “under the weather”, which is about health, not rain. Group: idioms about life, time and weather.
Questions
What does “Raining cats and dogs” mean in English?
“Raining cats and dogs” means raining very hard. You say it when there is heavy rain: “Take an umbrella. It's raining cats and dogs.”
Is “Raining cats and dogs” formal?
“Raining cats and dogs” is informal. It is fine in speech and in casual writing. In a weather report, write “heavy rain”.
Does “raining cats and dogs” mean animals fall from the sky?
No. It only means that it is raining very hard.
How do I say light rain?
Say “It's drizzling” or “It's raining a little”.
Part of the English idioms guide and of idioms about everyday life, time and weather, in the 💬 Idioms tool.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.