Time & Weather

Updated 2026-10-10 · Idiom Meanings editorial team

This is the Time & Weather section of Idiom Meanings. It lists 18 pages, including A rainy day, A storm in a teacup, Around the clock, At the eleventh hour, Beat the clock, Better late than never and more. Each page starts with a quick answer, then gives examples under clear headings and ends with frequently asked questions. Pick a page below, or use the idiom finder to jump straight to what you need. Pages are written by the Idiom Meanings editorial team, checked before publication and updated when readers send corrections; the date under each title shows the last update. The whole section is free to read and needs no account.

A rainy day: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherA storm in a teacup: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherAround the clock: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherAt the eleventh hour: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherBeat the clock: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherBetter late than never: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherBreak the ice: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherChase rainbows: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherCome rain or shine: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherEvery cloud has a silver lining: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherIn the nick of time: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherOn thin ice: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherOnce in a blue moon: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherSteal someone's thunder: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherThe calm before the storm: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherThe tip of the iceberg: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherTime flies: Meaning and ExamplesTime & WeatherUnder the weather: Meaning and ExamplesTime & Weather

• A rainy day: Meaning and Examples
  The phrase a rainy day meaning refers to a future time of hardship or need. People use this idiom to describe the act of saving money, resources, or energy now so they can rely on those reserves when unexpected difficulties arise later.
• A storm in a teacup: Meaning and Examples
  The phrase a storm in a teacup means a situation that is made to seem much more serious or important than it really is. It describes unnecessary fuss over trivial matters.
• Around the clock: Meaning and Examples
  The phrase around the clock means continuously or all the time, without stopping for rest. It describes an activity that lasts through every hour of the day and night. People use it to emphasize constant effort, ongoing monitoring, or nonstop service availability.
• At the eleventh hour: Meaning and Examples
  The phrase at the eleventh hour meaning refers to the very last moment before a specific deadline or event happens. People use this idiom to describe actions taken or decisions made at the final possible instant, often implying a sense of urgency or narrow escape from missing the opportunity entirely.
• Beat the clock: Meaning and Examples
  To beat the clock means to complete a task or finish a project before a specific deadline or before time runs out. It emphasizes the urgency of finishing something quickly, often implying that the time limit is tight and the effort is intense.
• Better late than never: Meaning and Examples
  The phrase better late than never means that arriving or completing a task after the expected time is still preferable to not doing it at all. It encourages action even when delayed, emphasizing that any completion is superior to total failure or absence.
• Break the ice: Meaning and Examples
  To break the ice means to initiate conversation or action in a situation where people feel shy or awkward. It describes the act of relieving tension so that interaction becomes easier and more natural for everyone involved.
• Chase rainbows: Meaning and Examples
  To chase rainbows means to pursue something that is impossible or highly unlikely to be achieved. People use this phrase to describe efforts spent on fantasies rather than practical, attainable objectives. It highlights the futility of aiming for illusions instead of reality.
• Come rain or shine: Meaning and Examples
  The phrase come rain or shine means that something will happen or continue no matter what difficulties arise. It expresses a firm commitment to a plan, person, or goal, signaling that external conditions will not cause you to stop or change your mind.
• Every cloud has a silver lining: Meaning and Examples
  The phrase every cloud has a silver lining means that a difficult or unpleasant situation often contains some positive aspect or hope. We use this expression to remind ourselves and others that even in tough times, there is usually a benefit or a lesson to be found somewhere.
• In the nick of time: Meaning and Examples
  To act in the nick of time means to do something at the very last possible moment before a negative outcome occurs. This widely used English idiom highlights the tension of narrow escapes and emphasizes the importance of timing in preventing failure or disaster.
• On thin ice: Meaning and Examples
  The idiom on thin ice means you are in a precarious or dangerous situation. You risk serious trouble if you make another mistake or push your luck. This phrase warns that your current position is unstable and requires careful action to avoid negative consequences.
• Once in a blue moon: Meaning and Examples
  The phrase once in a blue moon means that something happens very rarely or almost never. It describes events that occur with such low frequency that you are unlikely to see them again soon. Use this idiom to emphasize how unusual a specific occurrence truly is.
• Steal someone's thunder: Meaning and Examples
  To steal someone's thunder means to take attention or credit away from another person, especially for their idea, announcement, or achievement. It describes a situation where someone interrupts or upstages another, leaving them feeling overlooked or diminished in the moment.
• The calm before the storm: Meaning and Examples
  The phrase the calm before the storm meaning refers to a period of quiet or peace that happens right before a chaotic or difficult situation begins. It suggests that tranquility is temporary and that trouble is imminent. People use this common expression to warn others to prepare for upcoming challenges, stress, or dramatic changes in circumstances.
• The tip of the iceberg: Meaning and Examples
  The tip of the iceberg meaning refers to a small, visible part of a much larger and more significant problem or situation. It suggests that what you see is only a fraction of the total reality, with far more hidden beneath the surface waiting to be discovered.
• Time flies: Meaning and Examples
  The phrase time flies means that time seems to pass very quickly. People use it when they are surprised by how fast days, weeks, or years have gone by during enjoyable or busy activities.
• Under the weather: Meaning and Examples
  When you are under the weather, you are feeling slightly ill, tired, or unwell. This common idiom describes a state where you do not have your usual energy or health. It is not a serious medical emergency, but a general sense of being rundown.