When it rains, it pours

Definitions

• to describe a situation where everything seems to go wrong at once
  To express that when something negative occurs, it tends to be followed by a string of other negative events.

• to convey a sense of overwhelming or excessive amount
  To describe a situation where there is an abundance of something, typically in a negative connotation.

Examples of When it rains, it pours

• Sarah's boss criticized her work heavily during their meeting yesterday, and today she received a call from a client stating that the project she had been working on needed major revisions. It seems like Sarah's work life is going through a spell of intense criticism and reviews, and she can't seem to catch a break.

  When we say "when it rains, it pours," we are using an idiom to describe a situation where bad things happen all at once. In Sarah's case, just as she was struggling with her boss's criticisms, she received more bad news from a client. This idiom is often used to highlight situations where we seem to be surrounded by problems or negative events all at once, much like a heavy downpour where the rain comes down hard and fast.

• The company had been struggling for months, barely managing to keep its head above water. But then, all at once, a series of disasters struck: a key employee left unexpectedly, a major client pulled out, and a crucial piece of equipment broke down. It seemed like there was no end to the problems pouring down on them.

  This is an example of the idiom "when it rains, it pours" being used to describe a situation in which a series of negative events seem to be happening all at once, as if a floodgate has been opened and there is no stopping the deluge of misfortune. The metaphor of rain is used to convey the sense of overwhelming and continuous adversity.

Conclusion

The idiom "when it rains, it pours" is commonly used to describe a situation where everything seems to go wrong at once, or when there is an overwhelming amount of something. It is often used in a negative context, conveying a sense of frustration or hopelessness.

This idiom can be used in a variety of situations, such as when someone is experiencing a series of unfortunate events or when there is an excessive amount of something, such as work or stress. It can also be used to express the idea that once something negative happens, it tends to be followed by a string of other negative events.

Origin of "When it rains, it pours"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the 1800s, with the first recorded use in the United States in 1835. It is believed that the phrase originated from the popular saying, "it never rains but it pours," which was first used by British writer and philosopher Charles Caleb Colton in his book Lacon in 1820.

The phrase became more popular in the early 1900s, with multiple variations and adaptations being used in literature and media. It is thought that the phrase gained even more popularity during the Great Depression, as people were experiencing an overwhelming amount of challenges and struggles.

Overall, the idiom "when it rains, it pours" has evolved to become a common expression used to describe a situation of multiple negative events or an excessive amount of something. Its origins can be traced back to the 1800s and it continues to be used in modern English today.