# rain fire and brimstone

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/rain-fire-and-brimstone
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To send horror or destruction.

## Examples

- The angry boss rained fire and brimstone on the lazy team.
- When the scandal broke, the media rained fire and brimstone upon the politician for his dishonest behavior.
- The ancient prophecy warned that if the king ignored his duties, the heavens would rain fire and brimstone upon his kingdom.

## Origin

A reference to the The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], 1611, →OCLC, Psalms 11:6: “Upon the wicked hee [God] shall raine snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.”

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