It's lashing

USAGE SUMMARY

"It's lashing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used in reference to rain, and is a colloquial expression. For example: "It's been lashing rain since early morning; I hope it clears up soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

This just in from the Guardian's David Hopps at the ground: "it's lashing it down".

The Guardian - Sport

It's lashing down with rain outside so I'm glad we've got time to enjoy the superb spread and look out over the city – so much to do there, so little time.

The Guardian - Travel

7.30am: Team GB sailing It's lashing it down in Qingdao where Ainslie is loitering in his boat waiting for the final Finn race to begin.

The Guardian - Sport

Likewise, a pair of overtrousers can be a life saver – you can pull them on over underwear when it's lashing it down, should you need to nip to the toilet in the wee small hours.

Independent

But when it's war against the Irish and it's lashing down with rain, you need to be more flexible.

BBC

It's lashing, no sign of sunlight.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's lashed in by Pasquale... and Renegie outjumps Skrtel but can't keep his header down.

The Guardian - Sport

When it's lashed onto a device (in this case, an iPad mini) the Tactus case pushes fluid into a series of vessels nestled in a thin layer that sits atop the tablet's screen.

TechCrunch

It's lashed together with the bungee chords he used to keep in the car.

Vice

It wasn't just raining, it was lashing it down and had been for hours.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was lashing down and the only way I could write was to have some protection, so that's why I had it," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "It's lashing" to vividly describe very heavy rain, creating a more impactful image for your reader. It is appropriate in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "It's lashing" in formal writing. Opt for more neutral phrases like "heavy rain" or "torrential rain" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It's lashing" functions as a descriptive statement, specifically indicating the intensity of rainfall. It provides a vivid way to express that it is raining very heavily, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis and illustrated in several examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "It's lashing" is a colloquial way to describe heavy rainfall, primarily used in British English. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness, although its informal nature makes it more suitable for casual conversation or descriptive writing than formal contexts. While alternatives like "it's pouring" or "it's raining cats and dogs" exist, "It's lashing" provides a distinct and vivid way to depict a downpour. With a primary association with News & Media, this phrase offers writers the opportunity to communicate the intensity of weather conditions with a touch of colloquial charm, as confirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's pouring

Focuses on the act of rain falling heavily.

It's raining cats and dogs

An idiomatic expression for very heavy rain.

It's bucketing down

Emphasizes the large quantity of rain falling.

It's coming down in sheets

Describes the rain as falling in continuous, flat streams.

The heavens are open

A more dramatic and vivid way to describe heavy rainfall.

It's a downpour

Simplifies to a noun describing a sudden and heavy rainfall.

It's raining heavily

A straightforward and literal description of intense rainfall.

It's pelting down

Suggests rain falling with force, like small objects being thrown.

It's teeming down

Implies a great abundance of rain.

The rain is torrential

Uses an adjective to highlight the extreme intensity of the rain.

FAQs

What does "It's lashing" mean?

The phrase "It's lashing" is a colloquial expression, primarily used in British English, to describe very heavy rain. It implies that the rain is falling with great intensity.

What can I say instead of "It's lashing"?

You can use alternatives like "it's pouring", "it's raining cats and dogs", or "it's bucketing down" depending on the context.

Is "It's lashing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "It's lashing" is grammatically correct, though it's considered an informal and colloquial expression. It's best suited for casual conversation or descriptive writing where a less formal tone is appropriate.

In what contexts is "It's lashing" most appropriate?

The phrase "It's lashing" is most appropriate in informal contexts, such as casual conversations, personal blogs, or creative writing. It may not be suitable for formal reports or academic papers.