Bruce
i have difficulties with some phrases " ill wind that blows nobody any good ","every cloud has a silver lining ","under the weather ","weather the storm","as right as rain" who can tell me the meaning ,usage ,and the origin of the above phrases? for example ,"as right as rain",right?rain?do they have any connections
Jan 18, 2010 2:21 PM
Answers · 2
2
"It's an ill wind that blows no one any good" - this refers to a misfortune that benefits nobody. In many misfortunes, somebody might at least get some benefit. An old building might burn down, but we might replace it with a better one. This phrase refers to something bad happening where nobody benefitted. "Every cloud has a silver lining" - As above, many misfortunes have at least some benefit. "Under the weather" - feeling bad, gloomy or ill. "I've been feeling under the weather lately with a cold." "Right as rain" - in good health or in good working order. Don't know where this originated - probably in England where it rains a good deal and is considered normal. These phrases have no connection other than referring to the weather. In an agricultural society, you might expect many idioms to refer to the weather.
January 18, 2010
Yes, fdmaxy has given good answers to your question :)
January 20, 2010
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