ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rain pitchforks

idiom
Meaning

To rain heavily.


Examples
SIMPLE

We cannot go outside because it is raining pitchforks.

CONTEXTUAL

The picnic was ruined when the sky turned dark and it started raining pitchforks.

COMPLEX

Although the forecast promised clear skies, the afternoon storm arrived suddenly and began raining pitchforks, forcing the wedding guests to seek shelter indoors.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    make it rain

    To bring prosperity or work to an enterprise by selling, inventing or other productive or successful activity.

  2. 02

    pleasure and pain

    [Cockney slang]rain

  3. 03

    rain buckets

    To rain heavily

  4. 04

    rain cats and dogs

    To rain very heavily.

  5. 05

    rain death

    To cause severe harm or violence.

  6. 06

    rain down

    To appear suddenly or inexplicably in large numbers.

  7. 07

    rain fire and brimstone

    To send horror or destruction.

  8. 08

    rain off

    to cancel (an event) due to excessive rain

Last updated April 17, 2026