rain down
When lots of things come falling down from the sky or from somewhere high up.
Meanings
To fall from above in large numbers or amounts, like rain falling from the sky.
"Debris rained down on the street after the explosion."
"Rockets rained down on the city throughout the night."
— BBC News, 2023
To direct a large amount of something (criticism, praise, blows) at someone repeatedly.
"The press rained down criticism on the minister after the scandal broke."
(Religious/literary) To send down abundantly from a higher power or divine source.
"The preacher spoke of how grace rains down on all who seek it."
"I will rain down bread from heaven for you."
— Exodus 16:4, Bible (NIV)
Often used figuratively for criticism, blows, missiles, or blessings. The subject is usually the thing falling (e.g. 'blows rained down'), not a person. Common in both British and American English.
Commonly used with
Forms
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