it coming down in sheets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it coming down in sheets" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom which describes a heavy rainfall, so it can be used in any context in which such a phrase would make sense. For example: "It was raining so heavily that it was coming down in sheets".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When I started writing this rain was coming down in sheets and now it's hot enough to melt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was late evening at the M. Wells diner in Long Island City, Queens, and rain was coming down in sheets.

The New York Times - Food

Outside the city, the rain was still coming down in sheets.

The New York Times

"Round the squares huddled in storms" refers to bad weather in London and people clustered in doorways to avoid the rain coming down in sheets.

The Guardian - Music

This wouldn't ordinarily have been of note – I get not-rained on all the time – except that, just beyond the metal barriers delineating TED's rarefied food truck corral, I could see rain coming down in sheets, bright against the dark business towers.

The Guardian - Tech

The rain is coming down in sheets, blown diagonally by huge gusts of wind over an endless stretch of bright green fields.

Huffington Post

A mile in, the rain switched from a light drizzle to what I suppose would be referred to as "coming down in sheets" and "maybe there is a hurricane coming and you shouldn't be embarking on a multi-hour exercise mission".

Huffington Post

By Blue Chevigny NEW YORK, USA, 19 March 2007 – The rain is coming down in sheets over the capital city of Madagascar, Antananarivo, in the aftermath of Indlala, the latest cyclone to hit the island nation.

Unicef

Children in Madagascar suffer in yet another flood caused by latest cyclone NEW YORK, USA, 19 March 2007 – The rain is coming down in sheets over the capital city of Madagascar, Antananarivo, in the aftermath of Indlala, the latest cyclone to hit the island nation.

Unicef

Soon enough, the skies darken and the rain comes down in sheets.

The New Yorker

As the rain comes down in sheets, I race back to my cabin, which is excellent cardio.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "it coming down in sheets" to vividly describe very heavy rainfall, emphasizing the intensity and volume of the water. It works best when you want to create a strong image in the reader's mind.

Common error

Avoid using "it coming down in sheets" for light rain or drizzle. This idiom is reserved for when the rain is extremely heavy and feels like a continuous, unbroken flow of water.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it coming down in sheets" functions as an idiom, used to describe heavy rainfall. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It provides a vivid image of the rain falling in a continuous, unbroken flow, similar to a sheet of fabric.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it coming down in sheets" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic phrase used to describe very heavy rainfall. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it is not suitable for describing light rain, it effectively conveys the intensity and volume of a downpour. Related phrases like "it raining cats and dogs" or "torrential rain" can offer similar meanings, but each carries slightly different connotations. Remember to use this idiom when you want to vividly depict extreme rainfall.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it raining cats and dogs

Replaces the imagery of sheets with a more exaggerated metaphor involving animals.

heavy rain falling

Simplifies the idiomatic expression into a more literal description of the weather.

torrential rain

Uses an adjective to emphasize the intensity of the rain.

the heavens opened

Employs a figurative expression to indicate the sudden onset of heavy rain.

downpour occurring

Replaces the vivid imagery with a more straightforward noun to describe heavy rainfall.

deluge happening

Substitutes "rain" with "deluge" to denote a severe flood or heavy downpour.

rain pouring down

Uses a simple verb to describe the action of heavy rainfall.

rain lashing down

Employs a more aggressive verb to describe the force of the rain.

it pelting down

Replaces "coming down in sheets" with a verb that suggests the rain is hitting hard.

it bucketing down

Uses an informal expression to indicate very heavy rain.

FAQs

How can I use "it coming down in sheets" in a sentence?

You can say, "We decided to stay indoors because "it coming down in sheets" outside" to illustrate heavy rain.

What's a less common alternative to "it coming down in sheets"?

A less common alternative includes phrases like "heavy rain falling" or "torrential rain", which directly describe intense precipitation.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it coming down in sheets"?

Yes, "it coming down in sheets" is a grammatically correct and widely understood idiomatic expression for very heavy rain.

How does "it coming down in sheets" differ from "it raining cats and dogs"?

While both describe heavy rain, ""it coming down in sheets"" emphasizes the visual of continuous water flow, while "it raining cats and dogs" is a more exaggerated, humorous expression.