It never rains but it pours

Definitions

• emphasize the sudden occurrence of multiple unfortunate events
  Express the idea that when something bad happens, it is often followed by more bad things happening in quick succession

• highlight the intensity of a situation
  Emphasize that when something negative happens, it tends to happen all at once and in a very overwhelming manner

Examples of It never rains but it pours

• Last week, Sarah's car broke down, she lost her job, and her cat ran away. Yesterday, her apartment was robbed and her landlord gave her an eviction notice. It felt like the universe was conspiring against her.

  The phrase "it never rains but it pours" is used to describe a situation where a series of misfortunes or difficulties occur all at once. It suggests that when bad things happen, they happen in overwhelming quantities and seem to come all at once, leaving the person in a difficult position. In this example, Sarah experienced a string of calamities which seemed like they happened all at once, leaving her incredibly overwhelmed and disheartened.

• The project suffered several setbacks last month, but this week, everything seems to be going wrong at once. It's as if the universe is working against us!

  Here, "it never rains but it pours" is used to describe a situation where a project that seemed to be going well suddenly experiences a significant number of problems at once, almost as if they have all occurred at once. This can be incredibly discouraging to the people in charge of the project, making them feel as if they are powerless against the events unfolding around them.

• Yesterday, the construction company received several large orders, and today, they've received multiple large cancellations. It's like the universe is playing a cruel game with them.

  In this example, "it never rains but it pours" is used to describe a situation where a company experiences a sudden and significant shift in fortunes, going from having many orders and positive prospects to experiencing a large number of cancellations, almost as if these events happened all at once. It can be a difficult and disheartening experience for the company, leaving them feeling as if they have little control over their own fortunes.

• Samantha has been working hard to save money for the past year. She's cut back on her expenses and has been living frugally. However, last month she experienced a series of unexpected expenses, including a broken dishwasher, a toothache, and a car repair bill. It felt like one setback after another, and she's now struggling to recover financially.

  Here, "it never rains but it pours" is used to describe a situation where a person's attempts to improve their circumstances are met with an overwhelming number of difficulties or setbacks, leaving them feeling as if they are constantly fighting against the odds. It can be a frustrating and disheartening experience, leaving the individual feeling as if they are unable to achieve the outcomes they desire.

• Sarah had been struggling financially for months, barely making enough to cover her expenses. Just when she thought things couldn't get any worse, her car suddenly broke down, leaving her without a means of transportation. A few days later, she received a notice from her landlord informing her that her rent was due and she hadn't paid it on time. Feeling overwhelmed and defeated, Sarah burst into tears. "It never rains but it pours," she said, feeling like the universe was conspiring against her.

  The idiom "It never rains but it pours" is used to describe a situation in which a series of bad things seem to happen all at once, as if the universe is working against you. The origin of the idiom comes from the idea that if it starts raining heavily, it seems that the rain will never stop. In Sarah's case, she had been dealing with financial struggles for months, but then she encountered a series of unexpected setbacks that made her feel like everything was falling apart at once. The idiom highlights the feeling of being overwhelmed by a storm of misfortune.

Conclusion

The idiom "It never rains but it pours" is often used to convey the idea that when something bad happens, it is often followed by more bad things happening in quick succession. It also serves to emphasize the intensity of a situation, highlighting that when something negative happens, it tends to happen all at once and in a very overwhelming manner.

This idiom is commonly used in spoken English to describe a situation where a person experiences a series of unfortunate events in a short period of time. It can be used to empathize with someone going through a tough time or to express frustration at the continuous stream of problems.

Overall, the idiom is a vivid and relatable way to convey the feeling of being overwhelmed by a series of unfortunate events.

Origin of "It never rains but it pours"

The origin of the idiom "It never rains but it pours" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the 17th century. The phrase is thought to have been inspired by the unpredictable and sudden nature of rainstorms, where heavy rainfall can occur without warning.

The idiom is commonly used in English-speaking countries and has become a well-known expression for describing a series of unfortunate events happening in quick succession. Over time, it has become a part of everyday language, used to convey the feeling of being overwhelmed by a sudden influx of problems or difficulties.

Overall, the idiom has stood the test of time and continues to be a popular and widely understood expression in the English language.