pelt down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pelt down" is a valid expression in English and can be used in written English.
It is mainly used to refer to precipitation or heavy rain falling in large amounts. Example sentence: "The sky opened up and rain started to pelt down on us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Snow starts to pelt down outside.

The Guardian

He opens his umbrella and the raindrops pelt down on it like deafening bullets.

The Guardian - Books

But then there was a drum of thunder, and the clouds split open, and the ball bearings began to pelt down around her — tens of thousands of them.

The New Yorker

But then there was a drum of thunder, and the clouds split open, and the ball bearings began to pelt down around her tens of thousands of them.

The New Yorker

Sarwan is on, but oddly he's sprinting straight back off again because it's started to pelt down with rain all of a sudden.

The Guardian - Sport

As the rain continued to pelt down, a few joined in, then another few, then a rush of many.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

As the rain pelted down, Pantani pelted up.

The New York Times - Sports

It's really pelting down at Augusta.

The Guardian - Sport

It is pelting down as I type these words.

Independent

11.06pm BST Rain is pelting down at Merion.

The Guardian - Sport

Raindrops started pelting down as I sped across Lake Fontana.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pelt down" to vividly describe a sudden and intense burst of rain or snow. It's most effective when emphasizing the force and volume of the precipitation.

Common error

Avoid using "pelt down" for light or drizzling rain. It specifically describes a heavy, forceful downpour. Using it inappropriately weakens the impact of your description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pelt down" functions as an intransitive verb, typically describing the action of rain or snow falling heavily and with force. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered valid in English and can be used to specifically describe when precipitation is heavy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pelt down" is a valid and descriptive verb phrase used to depict heavy and forceful precipitation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Although not overly formal, it appears most frequently in News & Media sources, indicating a neutral register. To enhance your writing, use "pelt down" to vividly convey the intensity of rain or snow, but avoid it for lighter precipitation. Consider alternatives like ""pour down"" or "lash down" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pour down

Focuses on the continuous and heavy flow of rain.

rain heavily

A straightforward description of intense rainfall.

bucket down

Emphasizes the large quantity of rain falling.

lash down

Suggests a forceful and violent downpour.

teem down

Highlights the abundance of rain.

come down in sheets

Describes the rain falling in a wide, continuous stream.

rain cats and dogs

An idiomatic expression for very heavy rain.

fall in torrents

Emphasizes the torrential nature of the rain.

drench

To wet thoroughly; saturate.

stream down

Suggests rain flowing downwards in abundance.

FAQs

How can I use "pelt down" in a sentence?

You can use "pelt down" to describe heavy rain or snow, for example: "The rain began to "pelt down" as we reached the shelter."

What's the difference between "pour down" and "pelt down"?

"Pour down" and "pelt down" both describe heavy rain, but ""pelt down"" suggests a more forceful and intense impact of the rain or snow. You could say something like "The rain started to "pour down", then it started to "pelt down"."

What are some synonyms for "pelt down"?

Alternatives to "pelt down" include "rain heavily", "bucket down", and "lash down". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pelt down" a formal or informal expression?

"Pelt down" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both informal and some formal contexts. However, in highly formal or scientific writing, it's preferable to use more precise language like "heavy precipitation".