When it rains it pours

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 When it rains it pours mean? In what situations is When it rains it pours used?

Meaning of "When it rains it pours"

Meaning

The idiom “when it rains it pours” is used to refer to a situation in which something bad or unpleasant happens all at once in quick succession. It is often used to describe a series of unfortunate events. The phrase implies that when one thing goes wrong, it can often lead to a chain of events where everything seems to suddenly fall apart.

Etymology

The literal meaning of this phrase is derived from the fact that when rain falls from the sky, it typically does so heavily and quickly. The phrase has been in use since the early 20th century and was first recorded in the year 1904. The exact origin of the phrase is unknown, though it is believed to have originated in the southern United States.

Usage

This phrase is typically used in a conversational manner when speaking about a series of negative events. It can also be used to express sympathy for someone who is in the middle of a particularly unfortunate situation. Depending on the context and tone of voice, the phrase can be used in a lighthearted way or with a more serious tone.

Example Sentences

• I thought things were going smoothly, but when it rains it pours. Now I'm dealing with a problem I didn't know I had.
• It's been a rough few days. When it rains it pours, right?
• My car needed a new tire, and then the transmission went out. I guess when it rains it pours.

The Global Spread of English Idioms

As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.