'Weather' in language

We usually find the word 'weather' used as a noun to refer to air conditions but the word can also function as a verb as in to weather problems or as an adjective as in 'weathered roof'. Let's find out the meanings of 'weather' in different parts of speech.

If we work hard and manage our business carefully, I am confident that we will able to weather the recession again.

Here 'to weather' means to deal successfully with a problem or a difficult situation.  

Another expression with similar meaning is "to weather the storm" - to deal successfully with a difficult situation as it appeared in the headline, "Stocks that will weather the inflation storm" or in other words, stocks that will survive the problem of (high) inflation rates.

As a single mother with two children, Maria did very well to weather the storm.

While some can weather the storm, there are also some who make heavy weather of their task. The latter means they do it inefficiently and make it more difficult than it needs to be.

The workers were making heavy weather of fixing my roof because they refused to listen to the foreman.

The rainy season came very early this year and we have plenty of rain too; this condition might lead to many people feeling under the weather- feeling ill.

Our son is not lively as usual today; maybe he is under the weather.

Weather does not affect only our health; it also damages or leaves some marks on certain building materials or our skin as described with the word, "weather-beaten".

And what does weather-beaten skin look like? People whose skin is weather-beaten have spent a lot of time outdoors in bad weather so their skin turns darker from sunlight and rough with deep lines.

It wasn't until we got closer to the house that we noticed the weather-beaten wall and paint; it will need a lot of work to fix this house.

 To end this week's article I will introduce you to a friend you do not want to have, a fair-weather friend.

 A fair-weather friend is a good friend only when you are enjoying good times. Once you have problems, he or she will disappear.

She is only a fair-weather friend; a true friend would stick with you when you need help.

Complete the following sentences using the expressions explained

1. "Are you okay, Bill?" - "Nothing serious. Only a bit ...... , that's all."

2. Last week many political observers were closely following the censure debate to see if the government would ...... .

3. Do you realize that Greg is only a ...... friend? He comes here only when you have money to buy him beers.

4. I am quite relieved to know that Jane can ...... the tough time after the divorce.

5. Last weekend, Tabitha was ......of doing her homework to protest against her father barring her from playing computer games.

6. The ...... face of the fisherman shows years of life on the blue sea; he was born here and went fishing with his father before he could count to ten.

Answers: 1. under the weather, 2. weather the storm  3. fair-weather, 4. weather, 5. making heavy weather, 6. weather-beaten

By Parnsap Yomanage