break the ice
To do or say something that helps people feel less nervous and start talking.
Example: The host told a joke to break the ice at the party.
B114 words · Intermediate
Weather & Nature Idioms vocabulary — B1
Weather idioms for describing how people cope and get along, with phrases like break the ice, weather the storm and save for a rainy day.
14 questions
Words in this set
14when it rains it pours
A saying meaning that when one problem occurs, several more tend to follow at the same time.
Example:
First the car broke down, then the boiler — when it rains, it pours.
a storm in a teacup
A great deal of fuss or anger over something that is actually unimportant.
Example:
The whole disagreement turned out to be a storm in a teacup.
chase rainbows
To pursue a goal that is unrealistic or impossible to achieve.
Example:
He's been chasing rainbows with his idea of instant fame.
weather the storm
To survive and endure a difficult or troubled period.
Example:
The small business managed to weather the storm of the recession.
throw caution to the wind
To act boldly without worrying about the risk involved.
Example:
She threw caution to the wind and quit her job to travel.
clear the air
To resolve a disagreement or misunderstanding by talking about it openly.
Example:
We sat down to clear the air after the argument.
save for a rainy day
To keep money aside for a future time when it might be needed.
Example:
She always saves for a rainy day instead of spending everything at once.
a bolt from the blue
A sudden, completely unexpected event, usually shocking.
Example:
The news of her resignation was a bolt from the blue.
greener pastures
Better opportunities or a better situation, especially somewhere new.
Example:
He left the company to look for greener pastures.
a fair-weather fan
Someone who supports a team only when it is winning.
Example:
The stands fill with a fair-weather fan at every cup run.
under the sun
In the whole world.
Example:
They sell every kind of tea under the sun in that shop.
the coast is clear
There is no longer any danger of being seen.
Example:
We waited until the coast is clear before moving the boxes.
go with the flow
To accept what happens without resisting.
Example:
He decided to go with the flow rather than argue about it.
