caught in the rain

USAGE SUMMARY

"caught in the rain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation where someone gets stuck in the rain, unable to take cover. For example, "I was out walking in the park yesterday when I got caught in the rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She tried not to get caught in the rain.

The New York Times

My top tip for making a great one, don't get caught in the rain.

Independent

One summer afternoon, my mother and I were caught in the rain on Fulton Street.

The New York Times

"I think about her every time I'm caught in the rain without my umbrella".

The New York Times

One day they got caught in the rain in Central Park without an umbrella.

The New York Times

It is like wishing you won't get wet when caught in the rain".

The New York Times

Who hasn't been caught in the rain and felt the urge — at least once — to swing around a lamppost?

The New York Times

Did you get caught in the rain, her father asks, or was someone next to you in class sick?

The New York Times

He got caught in the rain on Haverstock Hill, and could only find a Mecca betting shop.

The New Yorker

Mr. Harborak's experience has been that opportunistic merchants raise umbrella prices to exploit people who are caught in the rain.

The New York Times

It is hard to imagine comfortably wearing one, and thoroughly stressful to imagine getting caught in the rain in one.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "caught in the rain" to describe a situation where someone unexpectedly encounters rain, often implying a degree of inconvenience or surprise. The phrase works well in both narrative and descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "caught in the rain" when you simply mean that it is raining. The phrase implies an element of surprise or being unprepared for the rain, not merely its existence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught in the rain" functions as an idiomatic expression, describing the experience of being unexpectedly exposed to rainfall. Ludwig examples show its use in narratives and descriptions of personal experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caught in the rain" is a common and versatile idiom used to describe the experience of being unexpectedly exposed to rainfall. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase implies a degree of surprise or unpreparedness, making it suitable for both narrative and descriptive writing. While alternatives like "stuck in a downpour" or "drenched unexpectedly" exist, "caught in the rain" remains a clear and effective way to convey this common experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stuck in a downpour

Focuses on being immobilized by heavy rainfall.

drenched unexpectedly

Highlights the sudden and surprising nature of getting very wet.

soaked by a shower

Emphasizes being thoroughly wet from a brief period of rain.

met with a rainstorm

Describes encountering a storm, with rain as a central component.

in the midst of a squall

Suggests being caught in a sudden and localized storm with rain.

exposed to heavy rainfall

Highlights the vulnerability to significant precipitation.

under a rain cloud

Emphasizes the physical proximity and consequence of being directly beneath rain.

surprised by a rain shower

Focuses on the unexpected nature of encountering light rain.

rained on

Simple, direct expression of being subject to rainfall.

in rainy conditions

Highlights the overall state of being in a setting where it is raining.

FAQs

How can I use "caught in the rain" in a sentence?

You can use "caught in the rain" to describe a situation where someone is unexpectedly exposed to rainfall. For example, "I was "caught in the rain" on my way home from work and got completely soaked."

What's a less common way to say "caught in the rain"?

While "caught in the rain" is a common idiom, you could use phrases like "stuck in a downpour" or "drenched unexpectedly" to add variety to your writing.

Is it better to say "caught in the rain" or "stuck in the rain"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "caught in the rain" emphasizes the unexpected nature of encountering rain, while "stuck in the rain" implies being unable to escape it. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Can "caught in the rain" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "caught in the rain" can be used metaphorically to describe being unexpectedly exposed to difficult or unpleasant circumstances. For example, "She was "caught in the rain" of office politics."