rain dogs and cats

present singular third person rains dogs and cats · participle present raining dogs and cats · participle past rained dogs and cats · past rained dogs and cats

1. alternativedatedidiomaticrareAlternative form of rain cats and dogs.

   When it rains Dogs and Cats in Hell, / The shelter'd Centaurs roar and yell.

   1678, John Phillips, Maronides

   2 more examples

   The Pedlars of our age have business yet, / And gladly would against the Fayr-day fit / Themselves with such a Roofe, that can secure / Their Wares from Dogs and Cats rain'd in showre.

   1651, Henry Vaughan, Olor Iscanus

   Where e're I went on Land or water / Hee'd make a shift to follow after. / Neither had he flincht a foot, had fates / Made it rain down dogs and cats

   1672, Maurice Atkins, Minor Burlesques and Travesties