With parts of Australia experiencing thunder and lightning quite regularly throughout the year, take a look at these thunder and lightning idioms used in daily conversation.
Transcript:
Welcome to Weather On The Go. Today, we’re looking at thunder and lightning idioms.
Lightning are the great flashes of light that sometimes streak across the sky and thunder are the loud rumbles you can hear when a storm is near. In fact, some parts of Australia experience thunderstorms quite regularly.
So it’s no surprise that thunder and lightning idioms have become a part of our daily speech.
An idiom is an expression that has a very different meaning compared to the words that form it.
So you’ll notice that even though these idioms have the words ‘thunder’ and ‘lightning’ in them, they’re often used to talk about everyday events rather than actual weather conditions.
For example, ‘to steal one’s thunder’ doesn’t involve stealing thunder that belongs to someone.
This idiom is used when a person does what another person was planning to do before they do it.
You might hear people say someone has ‘a face like thunder’. This idiom is not saying someone’s face looks like thunder. In fact, we don’t even know what thunder looks like because we can only hear it.
To have ‘a face like thunder’ means to look extremely angry. This idiom probably draws inspiration from thunder itself which is often loud, scary and angry sounding.
‘To be as fast as lightning’ means to be extremely fast. You may also hear people say ‘lightning fast’.
‘Lightning never strikes twice’ is used when you want to tell someone that it’s very unlikely something bad or unusual will happen two times in a row.
Now that you’ve learnt a few thunder and lightning idioms, think about any others you’ve come across. Do you know how to use them? Let us know.
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As a weather enthusiast with a profound understanding of meteorology and linguistic expressions, I find the intersection of language and weather particularly fascinating. Having extensively studied atmospheric phenomena and their cultural impact, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts presented in the article about thunder and lightning idioms.
Firstly, it's crucial to acknowledge the meteorological context. Thunder and lightning are elemental components of storms, with lightning being the visible discharge of electrical energy and thunder resulting from the rapid expansion of air surrounding a lightning bolt. Given that certain regions in Australia experience frequent thunderstorms, the prevalence of idioms related to thunder and lightning in daily conversation is both intriguing and culturally rooted.
Now, delving into the idioms discussed in the article:
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To Steal One's Thunder:
- This expression is not about literal theft of thunder but metaphorically refers to one person preempting or overshadowing another's planned action. The analogy is vivid, drawing on the idea that unexpected thunder can steal attention or precedence.
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A Face Like Thunder:
- Contrary to suggesting a facial resemblance to thunder, this idiom conveys extreme anger or displeasure. The choice of 'thunder' in this expression likely stems from the association of thunder with loud, ominous sounds, mirroring the intensity of someone's emotions.
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To Be As Fast As Lightning / Lightning Fast:
- These idioms equate speed with the rapidity of lightning. Lightning, being one of the fastest natural phenomena, serves as a powerful metaphor for swiftness. This linguistic connection emphasizes the speed of an action or movement.
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Lightning Never Strikes Twice:
- This idiom implies that a rare or unfortunate event is unlikely to happen again in quick succession. The analogy to lightning striking twice reinforces the idea that certain events are so exceptional or improbable that they are unlikely to recur.
In summary, the idioms creatively leverage the imagery and characteristics associated with thunder and lightning to convey nuanced meanings in everyday language. They showcase how weather-related experiences become ingrained in cultural expressions, reflecting the profound impact of nature on human communication. If you have any further questions or would like to explore additional weather-related idioms, feel free to inquire.
