Skip to Content

What Does “Come Rain or Come Shine” Mean? When to Use It

What Does “Come Rain or Come Shine” Mean? When to Use It

A monsoon or a downpour usually gets described as “bad weather” because it impacts different plans. Summer, autumn, and even winter are traditionally considered “good” weather as they enable or facilitate things/activities. So, did the phrase “come rain or come shine” stem from the bad rep surrounding “rain” and the supposedly positive image associated with the “sun”?

The idiom “come rain or come shine” denotes “getting a thing done or committing to doing it, despite all obstacles or irrespective of how good or bad a given scenario is”. The “obstacle” could be “rain” or general challenges. “Shine” is not considered a “hurdle”. It denotes “good” or “favorable”.

The expression is quite commonly used in texts and speeches, but not everyone may know how to incorporate the phrase in writings correctly. If you’re one of them, keep reading to learn everything about the idiom’s meaning and origin, how to use it in texts, alternate sayings for the term, and lots more.

plant emerges regardless of circumstance

“Come Rain or Come Shine” – Meaning

The idiom “come rain or come shine” means “a given thing will happen regardless of whether it rains or not”. Nothing will stop it from taking place. The particular “thing” doesn’t happen by itself but has to be “done” by someone.

The phrase can denote either actual rain or use “rain” as a metaphor to imply “troubles”, “challenging situations”, or “in any event”.

The question arises why is “rain” and “shine” or “weather” used as idiomatic expressions to symbolize “obstacles” or “challenges”. That’s because when mother nature unleashes itself or it rains like crazy, even the most well-planned events have to be called off, at least for the moment. For instance, if it pours heavily, an outdoor concert or sports event may have to be postponed or canceled.

The other aspect of “weather” is its “vagaries” or unpredictable nature. There are cities where the sun can be blistering through in the morning, and by the afternoon, heavy clouds could form, and it may start pouring like nobody’s business all of a sudden.

This unpredictability of “rain” and “shine” and how they could work as a team is perhaps the inspiration for the idiom “come rain or come shine”.

The Underlying Message

Some people go about doing their things or are determined to do what they have set out to “come rain or come shine”.

That’s not just because they carry the will, but also because those things may have turned into a habit. In other words, breaking their routine or not doing something they are habituated to can be more challenging for them than doing things despite all the odds.

The phrase also implies some people (at least) do not like to break their promises or commit to something and back away from it later.

Origin of the Phrase “Come Rain or Come Shine”

Songwriters Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen made the phrase known with their song “Come Rain or Come Shine”. The song was written for St. Louis Women, which was a Broadway show released in 1946.

The song didn’t become popular when it was first released. But when singers Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra picked up the tab and did a reprise, the song reached a lot more ears, and the phrase eventually grabbed public attention.

Using “Come Rain or Come Shine” in Texts

The phrase “come rain or come shine” is used to imply a “promise” or “guarantee”. It instills confidence and hope in the other person that a particular thing will get done, irrespective of the situation and the obstacles. For example:

  • Well, I made a promise to him that I’ll come down to meet him this weekend, come rain or come shine.
  • I am juggling multiple projects, but I am on yours currently. Though it has been a slow go, I’ll speed things up and get it across by this Monday, come rain or shine.

no matter what sign

The phrase could be used literally or figuratively. Here are a couple of sentences incorporating the term literally and symbolically:

  • The party is on this weekend, come rain or come shine.
  • I shall be by your side always, come rain or come shine.

In the first sentence, the phrase is referring to the weather or its “unpredictable” nature. However, in the second sentence, the expression implies “difficulties”, “challenges”, etc.

The phrase can be used in texts as it is, or as “rain or shine”, “come rain or shine”, etc., for conciseness. Here is the same sentence with the two versions of the expression:

  • The party is on this weekend, rain or shine.
  • The party is on this weekend, come rain or shine.

Of all the three, “come rain or shine” is the most commonly used form. The longer or the original form of the phrase may seem a bit more standard or acceptable to use in “formal” contexts.

But, like the case with most idioms, “come rain or come shine” is also not deemed “appropriate” in business letters, academic essays, or any scenario where you are supposed to put your more “polished” self forward.

Here are a few more sentences using the slightly compact versions of the phrase:

  • Come rain or shine, we are watching the game together this weekend.
  • She plays tennis, rain or shine, on all Wednesdays.
  • They flower continuously, come rain or shine, until autumn frosts.

The phrase in the above sentences implies a meaning that could either be symbolic or actual.

Phrases Similar to “Come Rain or Come Shine”

There are various ways to use the phrase in your texts. You may either rephrase them or keep the “weather” reference (direct or indirect) intact or use different sets of words or metaphors altogether.

The following are alternate expressions that pretty much mean the same thing as “come rain or shine”, and they accomplish that without referring to the “weather” directly or tacitly:

  • All weathers
  • Whatever the weather
  • Whether it’s wet or dry
  • Regardless of the weather

Phrases or expressions with similar meaning to “come rain or come shine” but which use completely new contexts include:

  • All sewn up (denotes a given task will be completed without fail). “It shall be sewn up by this morning.”
  • Come through (denotes having succeeded in finishing a task despite all odds or adversities). “The job promotion you’ve been long waiting for might come through next quarter.”
  • With certainty (denotes being sure of something). “I can say this with certainty that she’ll be on time for the show.”
  • To be sure (denotes seeking or having complete confidence in something). “I just want to be sure about it.”
  • Come what may (signifies a given thing will be finished regardless of what happens or comes by). “Come what may, I’ll paint the house using just the tools already available.”
  • Word of honor (denotes a promise to do a thing). “I will take care of your daughter, and it’s my word of honor.”
  • Sure thing (denotes complete assurance that a given thing will be done). “My dad promised he’ll buy me a new laptop before the next academic year. And when my dad gives such an assurance, it’s a sure thing.”
  • No matter what (denotes despite all odds or irrespective of the circumstances). “My mom is sure about retiring when she turns 60, no matter what.”

Kindly note, the above phrases are not replacement sayings for “come rain or come shine”, except for perhaps “come what may”, “no matter what”, and “sure thing”.

Besides the above, a few other idioms that may replace “come rain or come shine” in texts or come relatively close to doing that include “beyond a shadow of a doubt”, “one way or another”, “come hell or high water”, “by hook or by crook”, etc.

More Great Idioms

Example Sentences with “Come Rain or Come Shine”

The following is a list of sentences using the saying “come rain or come shine”. Since it’s perfectly okay to cut down the idiom or phrase it as “come rain or shine” or “rain or shine”, some of the sentences below may incorporate them instead.

  • They are the ultimate pair of shoes to wear, come rain or come shine.
  • The strawberries at my allotment grow well-rounded, come rain or shine.
  • They’ll be up to the task, rain or shine.
  • The concert is on schedule, come rain or shine.
  • He jogs 10 miles every evening, come rain or shine.
  • Do not worry, we’ll always be there with you – come rain or shine.
  • The workweek starts every Monday, come rain or come shine.
  • I promised her I’ll complete the project before the deadline, come rain or shine.
  • Come rain or come shine, we will go fishing tomorrow.

As mentioned above, it’s acceptable or even recommended to use “come rain or shine” in the sentences above if you want to keep things short and every single word or letter in your sentences count.

shining bright come rain or shine

Conclusion

“Come rain or come shine” can be used in texts figuratively or literally. And as clearly explained above, there are various ways to incorporate the phrase in your text. There are also similar phrases that you can use to mix or diversify things a bit.

But because there are quite a few idioms or words that seem like they mean the same thing but do not, in actuality, make sure you’re confident of the meaning of the alternate phrases you use. Otherwise, you could ruin the text or alter its meaning entirely.