In some parts of the world , April is a time of thunderstorms and lots of rain . In the U.S . we even have a rhyme to describe it : April showers bring May flowers . This rhyme does not simply describe a weather event . It reminds us that even something bad or inconvenient -- in this case , rain -- can bring something good -- in this case , flowers ! We will talk about flowers expressions another time . Today , let's talk about rain . Even though rain is necessary for nature , many expressions use rain to represent troubles , loneliness or hard times . To rain on someone's parade is to question their positive attitude or to ruin their good time . Someone who rains on another person's “parade ” is usually trying to introduce a note of caution or practical advice . By the way , this is a fixed expression . So , you shouldn't say , “Don't rain on my picnic !” or “Don't rain on my baseball game !” People will have no idea what you're talking about . In the musical “Funny Girl ,” Barbara Streisand's character just wants to live her life in her way . She doesn't want others to stop her from trying to achieve her dreams . So , she warns people , “Don't rain on my parade .” No one has a perfectly happy life all the time . A poetic way to express that thought is to say into each life a little rain must fall . Here is singer Ella Fitzgerald complaining that she is getting more than her fair share of suffering . When it rains , it pours is another popular expression . This means when one bad thing happens , many other things often follow . Now , there isn't any science to support this . Perhaps it just feels that way when it's happening to you . This is too good of an expression not to be in a country song . Merle Haggard uses it this way : Some people are so happy , so excited or so in love that they don't let anything -- including the weather -- stop them from doing something . Come rain or come shine means you are not going to let anything stop you . Many people have sang the Johnny Mercer song “Come Rain or Come Shine .” Here , it is Ray Charles who tells his love that he will love her no matter what . High as a mountain , deep as a river , come rain or come shine .” Sometimes , though , you can't do what you want come rain or shine . Sometimes rain does affect your plans . Let's say you plan a big outdoor party for all your friends . Unfortunately , on the day of the party , it rains cats and dogs – in other words , it rains really heavily . You will have to reschedule . Your guests can take a rain check and come back another time . “Rain check ” comes from the early days of baseball . So , when you take a rain check on something you will have to wait before you can do it . In comparison , when you save something for a rainy day , you choose to put it safely away for future use . Usually we use this expression for saving money . But you can save anything for a rainy day . Up until now , all these rain expressions use the wet weather as a hardship , sadness , inconvenience or difficulty that a person must overcome . One exception is the expression right as rain . If something is “right as rain ” it is perfectly fine . For example , let's say you hurt your back playing sports . You could tell your friends not too worry and that you'll be right as rain in a week or two . Some word experts say that “rain ” is used in this expression simply for its “r ” sound . “Right ” and “rain ” sound good together . And that brings us to the end of this program .