Example: Under the weather

Problem: I'm feeling a bit under the weather today.

Solution:

1. I'm feeling a bit sick today.

Example: Every cloud has a silver lining

Problem: Losing that job was tough, but every cloud has a silver lining.

Solution:

1. Something good can come from a bad situation.

Example: Storm in a teacup

Problem: Their argument was just a storm in a teacup.

Solution:

1. Their argument was about something unimportant.

Example: Break the ice

Problem: He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.

Solution:

1. He told a joke to make everyone feel more comfortable.

Example: Chase rainbows

Problem: He’s always chasing rainbows instead of working hard.

Solution:

1. He’s always pursuing unrealistic dreams.

Example: Come rain or shine

Problem: She goes jogging every morning, come rain or shine.

Solution:

1. She goes jogging every morning, no matter what.

Example: Fair-weather friend

Problem: He turned out to be just a fair-weather friend.

Solution:

1. He was only a friend when things were good.

Example: It never rains but it pours

Problem: First I lost my job, then my car broke down—it never rains but it pours!

Solution:

1. Problems often come together, not one at a time.

Example: Snowed under

Problem: I'm snowed under with work this week.

Solution:

1. I have too much work to do this week.

Example: Steal someone's thunder

Problem: She stole my thunder by announcing her promotion first.

Solution:

1. She took attention away from my achievement.