What is the idiom synonymous with the phrase like cats and dogs? - briefly
The idiom synonymous with the phrase "like cats and dogs" is "raining heavily". This expression is used to describe a situation where it is raining very hard.
What is the idiom synonymous with the phrase like cats and dogs? - in detail
The idiom synonymous with the phrase "like cats and dogs" is "raining cats and dogs." This expression is used to describe a very heavy rainstorm. The origin of this idiom is somewhat obscure, but several theories attempt to explain its meaning. One popular theory suggests that the phrase originates from the 17th century, when heavy rainfall in England would often flood streets and basements, leading to the appearance of drowned animals floating in the water. Another theory posits that the phrase comes from Norse mythology, where the goddess Freya, associated with cats, and the god Odin, associated with dogs, would ride across the sky in chariots pulled by these animals, causing storms when they traveled.
The idiom has been widely used in literature and everyday language to convey the intensity of a downpour. For example, Mark Twain used it in his writings to describe the torrential rains he experienced during his travels. The phrase has also been incorporated into various cultures and languages around the world, further cementing its place in the lexicon of weather-related expressions. Despite its mysterious origins, "raining cats and dogs" remains a vivid and commonly understood way to describe extremely heavy rainfall.