rain cats and dogs

Definition

To rain very heavily.

Etymology

Unknown, but see examples of early use in Citations.

Example Sentences

• "["]Those weather-gaws aren't out for nothing. It'll rain cats and dogs to-morrow." Marigold wondered what weather-gaws were—and then forgot in thinking how interesting it would be in it really rained cats and dogs. Little silk-eared kittens everywhere by the basketful—loads of darling pudgy puppies."