cats and dogs

== English == === Etymology === (heavy rain): Probably derived from rain cats and dogs. === Noun === cats and dogs pl (plural only) (chiefly in set phrases) A heavy rain; a large amount of rain. 1901, Ellen Wood (Mrs. Henry Wood), Johnny Ludlow: sixth series, page 361: With a good blinding snowfall, or a pelting downpour of cats and dogs, I might have hoped for a respite. What a Christmas offering for my mother! I say! People or things that constantly fight (see fight like cats and dogs). (finance) Stocks that can be purchased cheaply but are unlikely to produce much profit. === Adverb === cats and dogs (not comparable) (chiefly in set phrases, about raining, other precipitation, or leaking) Heavily; copiously; a lot. rain cats and dogs, come down cats and dogs, pour cats and dogs, storm cats and dogs === Anagrams === dogs and cats