raining cats and dogs

Meaning

Raining very heavily.

Examples

1. Take an umbrella. It’s raining cats and dogs! US UK
2. We stayed inside because it was raining cats and dogs. US UK
3. It was raining cats and dogs when we arrived. US UK

How to use it

This idiom is fun but a little old-fashioned. Use it in speaking, usually as it’s raining cats and dogs. In a weather report or in writing, say heavy rain instead.

Common mistake

Not: It is raining dogs and cats.
Say: It is raining cats and dogs. (The word order never changes.)