rain dogs and cats

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rain dogs and cats (third-person singular simple present rains dogs and cats, present participle raining dogs and cats, simple past and past participle rained dogs and cats)

1. (idiomatic, dated, rare) Alternative form of rain cats and dogs
   • 1651, Henry Vaughan, Olor Iscanus:

     The Pedlars of our age have business yet, / And gladly would against the Fayr-day fit / Themselves with such a Roofe, that can secure / Their Wares from Dogs and Cats rain'd in showre.

   • 1672, Maurice Atkins, Minor Burlesques and Travesties:

     Where e're I went on Land or water / Hee'd make a shift to follow after. / Neither had he flincht a foot, had fates / Made it rain down dogs and cats

   • 1678, John Phillips, Maronides:

     When it rains Dogs and Cats in Hell, / The shelter'd Centaurs roar and yell.

This term is rarely used, whereas rain cats and dogs is in current usage.

• rain cats and dogs