Weather the storm

Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does Weather the storm mean? In what situations is Weather the storm used?

Meaning of "Weather the storm"

Meaning

The phrase “weather the storm” is an idiom that is used to refer to successfully surviving a difficult or challenging period of time or situation. This phrase implies that the challenging period is like a storm at sea, with turbulent and unpredictable waters. The phrase also implies that despite the difficulties, the storm will eventually pass, as storms always do, as long as the person or entity weathering the storm is able to remain strong and steady throughout the storm.

Etymology

The phrase “weather the storm” has its roots in maritime terminology. The word “weather” comes from the Old English “weder”, which means wind and air. The adjective form of this word, “wether”, was used in the 1300s to refer to conditions on the sea. This was then adapted to refer to the navigational practice of sailing ships in a certain direction to avoid storms and potentially damaging winds. The phrase “weather the storm” then emerged in the 1600s, and has been used as an idiom meaning successfully surviving a difficult or challenging period ever since.

Usage

The phrase “weather the storm” is often used to refer to the act of persevering through a difficult or challenging period of time, either in an individual’s life or in a larger, collective situation. The phrase is often used to encourage someone to remain strong and push through the difficulties of the current situation, since the storm will eventually pass. It is also often used in more general contexts to refer to successfully dealing with any kind of challenging situation.

Example Sentences

• “We just have to stay strong and weather the storm – it won’t last forever.”
• “It’s been a tough year, but we’ve managed to weather the storm and come out the other side.”
• “We all have to deal with difficult times at some point in our lives – we just have to weather the storm.”

From Shakespeare to Social Media: The Evolution of English Idioms

English idioms have been around for centuries, with many originating from sources like literature, mythology, and everyday life. Shakespeare, for example, coined many phrases that are still used today, such as "break the ice" and "heart of gold." Over time, new idioms have emerged, with social media and popular culture providing rich sources of inspiration. For instance, the phrase "throwing shade" came into use in the 1990s thanks to ball culture, but has since been popularized by social media.