“Il pleut des cordes” is a vivid French idiom that literally means “It’s raining ropes”—but figuratively, it’s used to say “It’s pouring” or “It’s raining cats and dogs.” The phrase paints a picture of rain so heavy and continuous that it looks like ropes falling from the sky.
🌧️ Meaning & Imagery
- Literal translation: It’s raining ropes
- Figurative meaning: It’s raining very heavily
- Register: Informal, commonly used in everyday speech
- Pronunciation: /il plø de kɔʁd/
The expression likely comes from the visual effect of thick, fast-falling rain that appears like long strands or ropes connecting the clouds to the ground.
💬 Examples in Context
1. Daily Conversation
Regarde dehors, il pleut des cordes !
Look outside, it’s pouring!
Used when deciding whether to go out or stay in.
2. Making Plans
On devait aller au parc, mais il pleut des cordes.
We were supposed to go to the park, but it’s raining cats and dogs.
Perfect for expressing disappointment due to bad weather.
3. Storytelling
Il pleuvait des cordes quand je suis parti ce matin.
It was pouring when I left this morning.
Adds drama and atmosphere to a narrative.
🧠 Fun Variations & Synonyms
French has a whole storm of colorful expressions for heavy rain:
| Expression | Translation | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Il pleut comme vache qui pisse | It’s raining like a peeing cow | Very informal |
| Il pleut des seaux | It’s raining buckets | Informal |
| Il pleut des hallebardes | It’s raining halberds (medieval weapons!) | Dramatic |
| Il pleut à boire debout (Québec) | It’s raining so hard you can drink standing up | Regional |
🧩 In a Mini Dialogue
Emily: Pourquoi pas aller à l’exposition de sculptures ?
Philippe: C’est dehors et il pleut des cordes. Je ne pense pas que ce soit une bonne idée.
Emily: C’est vrai…
A realistic exchange showing how the phrase fits into casual conversation.
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