Raining stair-rods

Definitions

• heavy rain
  Describing a very heavy and intense rainfall

Examples of Raining stair-rods

• It's raining stair-rods today. The streets are flooded and the downpour is so heavy that it feels like iron rods are falling from the sky.

  The idiom "raining stair-rods" is used to describe an extremely heavy rainfall that is so intense that it seems like material objects, such as iron rods, are falling from the sky. This idiom originated in the 19th century and described the sound of raindrops falling so heavily that they sounded like iron rods hitting the pavement. Today, it is used figuratively to describe any extremely heavy rainfall.

• The rain was raining stair-rods when I left for work this morning, but by the time I returned, it had stopped completely.

  In this example, the idiom is used to compare the intensity of the rainfall to the sound of iron rods falling from the sky. The use of the idiom emphasizes how heavy the rain was, making it more impactful and memorable than simply saying "it rained heavily."

• The stormy weather today reminded me of the old days when the rain would rain stair-rods for days on end.

  In this example, the idiom is used to compare the current weather to a time in the past when extreme rainfall was a common occurrence. This use of the idiom helps to create a vivid mental image for the listener, making the description more evocative and memorable.

• The rain today was so heavy that it felt like I was standing under a waterfall, but at least it wasn't raining stair-rods like it used to.

  In this example, the speaker is comparing the intensity of the rain to the sound of a waterfall, but then contrasts it with the even heavier rainfall described by the idiom "raining stair-rods." This comparison helps to illustrate just how extreme the idiom is, making it more memorable and impactful.

• It's raining stair-rods out there!

  This is a humorous way of describing a particularly heavy rain. It's as if the raindrops are as thick and long as stair rods, which are the metal rods that connect handrails to the wall in a staircase. It's an exaggerated description meant to convey the intensity of the rain.

• The streets were streaming with stair-rods after yesterday's downpour.

  This is using the idiom in a descriptive sentence. The heavy rain last night left the streets flooded with water, which flowed like the thick metal rod stairs are built with.

• The car drove through stair-rods on the way home.

  This example uses the idiom in a poetic and descriptive way to explain the heavy rain. It's a way of saying the rain was so intense that it was almost impossible to drive through it.

• The producer issued a statement saying that filming has been delayed due to stair-rods.

  This is an example of using the idiom in a colloquial way in a press release or announcement. It's a lighthearted and humorous way of explaining a delay due to heavy rain, which can cause sets and productions to come to a standstill.

Conclusion

The idiom "raining stair-rods" is used to vividly describe a heavy rainfall. It is often used in casual conversation or in literature to paint a clear picture of the intensity of the rain.

Origin of "Raining stair-rods"

The origin of the idiom "raining stair-rods" is not definitively known, but it is believed to have originated in the UK where it is commonly used. The phrase likely comes from the visual image of rain falling in long, straight lines resembling the shape of stair-rods, which are thin metal rods used to hold carpet runners in place on a staircase. The comparison is drawn to emphasize the intensity and straightness of the rain, creating a vivid image of heavy rainfall. This idiom has since become a common way to describe very heavy rain in English-speaking countries.