Iowa Academy of Science

Project WET Raining Cats and Dogs

Water Influences all Aspects of Life

Water related proverbs and sayings can be found in all cultures. Proverbs are statements in frequent use which express well known truths or facts. Understanding a proverb gives insight into the lives, values, and beliefs of the people who use it. Raining Cats and Dogs is a Project WET activity which explores water proverbs from around the world. Iowa Project WET has begun to collect water sayings. Below are some of the sayings we have collected. Can you think of any others?

Just a drop in the bucket.
Still water runs deep.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.
We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Sink or swim.
When it rains it pours.
She fell hook, line and sinker.
Walking on cloud nine.
I'm just waiting for my ship to come in.
Walking on thin ice.
It's raining cats and dogs.
I wash my hands of the whole matter.
He has his head in the clouds.
A flush of excitement flooded through my body as I contemplated the tidal wave of rippeling words that could rain down in the site.
Don't Pee in my pool, I won't swim in your toilet.
I'm up the creek without a paddle.
You're all washed up.
We'll hang you out to dry.
You're a drip!
A drip is a dr op and a drop is water and water is nature and nature is beautiful.
Thanks for t he complement.
Don't rain on my picnic!
Water logged.
Cry me a river.
Mind soaked.
Drip-dry.
 Don't cry in my soup.
Can't walk on water.
You are all wet.
A nag is like a dripping faucet.
Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
Get your feet wet.
Take the plunge.
Watered down.
Water flows both ways.
Looking for water from a deeper well.
He's a little wet behind the ears.
You've got your head in the clouds.
Rainy days and Sundays.
You're in hot water.
Don't be a wet blanket.
You're the spittin' image of.....
I'm feeling under the weather.
Crying crocodile tears.
That's water under the bridge.
Rain, Rain, go away. Come back another day.
Like water off a ducks' back.
A bridge over troubled waters.
Like a fish out of water.
I'm gonna wash that man right out of my hair.
We are oceans apart.
Blame it on the rain.
Take the plunge.
Either you sink or you swim.
Go with the flow.
Walking on water.
Pee like a race horse.
Don't rock the boat.
It's pouring buckets.
That's as clear as a mountain stream.
Going to the waterhole.
You can't learn to swim in a field. (Spanish)
No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place. (Zen)
One step too few is enough to miss the ferry. (Chinese)
Help your brother's boat across and lo! your own has reached the shore. (Hindu)
A small hole can sink a big ship. (Russian)
To rule the mountains is to rule the river. (Chinese)
For every stream there is a protective lining.
Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.
That's about as clear as mud.
That is just water over the dam.
Save it for a rainy day.
I love you as much as all the clouds in the sky.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink unless you salt his oats.
A frog does not drink the pond in which he lives.
Don't pee on an electric fence.
Water always take the path of least resistance.
I'm sunk!
Keep you're head above water.
A fish out of water.
As slow moving as a lake.
Water doesn't run uphill.
You are more special to me than all the raindrops that fall from the sky.
Like a drowning swimmer to a life preserver.
Blood is thicker that water.
Let it roll like water off a ducks back.
Drowning in your own tears.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
All at sea.
Many a slip between the cup and the lip.
Still waters run deep.
Cry me a bucket.
I'll fill up the ocean, bit by bit!
Loose lips sink ships.
Bailing with a teaspoon.
Ships passing in the night.
That's just water under the bridge.
To drown in a glass of water. (to worry about the simple) - (Korea)
The shrimp that sleeps is carried away by the current. (Korea)
To be like a fish in the water. (Korea)
What harm does water do a fish? (Korea)
The Water you are not going to drink - let it run (don't be greedy). (Korea)
When the river sounds clear, it is because it is carrying stones (truth in the rumor). (Korea)
When it rains everyone gets wet. (Korea)
He who is thirsty goes to the river. (Korea)
Don't spit into the wind.
No individual raindrop ever considers itself responsible for the flood.
A fish doesn't know water.
When someone pulls himself out of the water, he's still wet in your eyes (judgemental).

Do you know a water saying not on our list? Send it to Iowa Project WET ! New sayings will be added as we receive them so check back to see if your sayings have been added.