On today’s Wellbeing English Impulse: Weather Moods, Annie and Clare talk about how the weather has a direct impact on how we feel. Not only can it make us feel tired or sad, but it can also make us more creative. Have a listen, use the subititles if needed and don’t forget to check all the vocabulary and several expressions used in today’s episode below.
VOCABULARY
Mood
- how you are feeling
- your general state
- Wow, she’s really in a bad mood. I wonder what happened?
- I was in a great mood until my headache started. Now I feel a bit sick.
Lift vs Elevator
- We use these to transport people or goods from one floor to the next
- In British English, they will use the term lift (Clare, who is Irish, uses ‘lift’ in the podcast)
- In American English, they will use the term elevator
EXPRESSIONS
Heavy rain – colloquial expressions
- It’s pouring down
- It’s pouring down out there. Are you sure you want to take the bike?
- It’s chucking it down
- At first it was fine because it was just drizzling but then it began chucking it down and we got soaked!
- It’s lashing it down
- I’m not going out. It’s lashing it down. Are you crazy?
- It’s raining cats and dogs (more formal)
- I’ve been sitting on the couch the whole day. It’s raining cats and dogs out there.
Very hot – Colloquial expressions
- It’s boiling
- The only thing I want to do is go to the pool. It’s boiling out.
- It’s roasting
- We decided to come inside because it’s roasted out there today.
- It’s scortching
- Make sure you put some sunscreen out because it’s scortching today.
Very cold – Colloquial expressions
- It’s freezing
- There’s no way I’m going to the game. It’s freezing outside!
- It’s brass monkeys
- I’ve got three layers of clothes on but I’m still freezing. It’s brass monkeys out.
Come rain or shine
- idiom
- No matter what happens
- If he said he would help you, he’ll be there come rain or shine.
- Come rain or shine, I’ll attend your event on Friday. I wouldn’t miss it!
Every cloud has a silver lining
- idiom
- used to say that something good always comes from a bad situation
- native speakers only usually say the first part of the expression, ‘every cloud’
- It wasn’t until I lost my job that I realised how unhappy I was there. You know what they say, every cloud‘.
- I know it’s hard to hear right now since you just broke up with your girlfriend, but every cloud has a silver lining. I’m sure in a few weeks you’ll see that.
When it rains, it pours
- idiom
- used when several bad things happen at the same time. You are not just dealing with one problem (rain) but with several problems (pouring rain)
- Click here to see another post about this idiom
- Native speakers also may only say the first part of this expression, ‘when it rains’
- I don’t know how they are dealing with everything going on at the same time. When it rains…
- When it rains, it pours. We have an urgent meeting this morning, I dropped my coffee all over my suit and Julie has called in sick!
Under the Weather
- Idiom
- used when someone doesn’t feel well
- I’m not sure I should go swimming. I feel a bit under the weather.
- used when someone feels sad
- All this rains makes me feel under the weather. I’m going to stay home and watch a movie.
