Meaning
It is raining very hard.
Cultural Background
The phrase is very well-known but often used with a sense of irony or humor, as the British are famous for talking about the weather. In the US, the phrase is recognized by everyone but is increasingly seen as a bit 'old-school' or something a grandparent might say. Australians often prefer more colorful slang, so while they know this phrase, they might use 'it's bucketing down' instead. This is one of the first idioms taught in English classrooms worldwide, making it a universal 'English learner' phrase.
Keep it casual
Only use this with friends. It sounds silly in a business meeting.
Don't change the words
It's always 'cats and dogs'. Never change the animals!
Meaning
It is raining very hard.
Keep it casual
Only use this with friends. It sounds silly in a business meeting.
Don't change the words
It's always 'cats and dogs'. Never change the animals!
Use it for emphasis
Use it when you really want to show how surprised you are by the rain.
It's a classic
Even if you don't use it, you will hear it in movies and books.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct idiom.
I can't go outside right now; it's raining ________.
The correct idiom for heavy rain is 'raining cats and dogs'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the correct usage.
The idiom is fixed and used in the continuous tense.
Match the situation to the correct response.
Your friend asks you to go for a run, but it is storming outside. What do you say?
This is the appropriate way to explain why you cannot go for a run.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Are you going to the park?' B: 'No, look at the sky! It's ________.'
The context implies bad weather, making this the correct choice.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesI can't go outside right now; it's raining ________.
The correct idiom for heavy rain is 'raining cats and dogs'.
Choose the correct usage.
The idiom is fixed and used in the continuous tense.
Your friend asks you to go for a run, but it is storming outside. What do you say?
This is the appropriate way to explain why you cannot go for a run.
A: 'Are you going to the park?' B: 'No, look at the sky! It's ________.'
The context implies bad weather, making this the correct choice.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, the order is fixed. It must be 'cats and dogs'.
No, it is very informal.
Nobody knows for sure, but it's a very old expression.
No, it only describes very heavy rain.
Your boss might think you are being too casual or funny.
No, the idiom is fixed.
Yes, it is understood in both.
It's pronounced 'RAY-ning KATS and DOGZ'.
Only if it is a very friendly email to a close friend.
Yes, it is one of the most famous English idioms.
They know it, but they might use 'it's pouring' more often.
Use it next time you see a heavy storm.
Related Phrases
It's pouring
synonymIt is raining heavily.
Bucketing down
similarRaining very hard.
A deluge
similarA severe flood or heavy rain.
Heavy rain
contrastStandard description of rain.
