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Glite Dictionary
to weather the storm

to weather the storm

11 5.2
To survive a difficult time by dealing with problems
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : capear el temporal
  • During the economic downturn, many small businesses have found ways to weather the storm and keep their doors open.

So, so far, Claudine is weathering the storm, notwithstanding the fact that she appears to be a cheat, too.

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Examples

  • So far, Okonjo-Iweala argues, African governments have managed to weather the storm with a combination of wise macroeconomic management and timely infusions of aid.

    Academic text (2009)

  • Thus far, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has weathered the storm that has swept across the Middle East since the beginning of the year.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Tell me, can you weather the storm?

    The Best Man Holiday (2013)

  • I just need you guys to help me weather the storm.

    Catch Me If You Can (2002)

  • Just gotta weather the storm.

    The Alto Knights (2025)

  • We're gonna weather the storm.

    SuperFly (2018)

  • I hope that you and your family were able to weather the storm without too much incident.

    Blog text (30)

  • You may just find this information invaluable as you weather the storm.

    Blog text (34)

  • Glad to hear you guys weathered the storm without any damage.

    Blog text (18)

  • It seems that we’ve managed to weather the storm together.

    Three Days of Rain (2002)

Synonyms

to survive
vsto weather the storm
∞ 2.7

Continue to exist after a dangerous or difficult event

means coping and succeeding through a difficult period rather than mere survival
to make it
vsto weather the storm
  • Informal
311 3.4

To survive after danger or a serious problem

puts more weight on lasting through the period than on success alone
to cope
vsto weather the storm
272 2.9

To deal with problems and difficult situations

emphasizes lasting through a hard period rather than single tasks
to cope with
vsto weather the storm
150 2.9

Manage a difficult problem, situation or strong feeling

focuses more on surviving and coming through the whole period
to weather
vsto weather the storm
48 5.2

To stay strong until a difficult time ends

is about coping throughout the period rather than short reactions
to ride out
vsto weather the storm
20 5.3

To stay safe through a difficult or dangerous time

stresses lasting through an extended challenge rather than quick fixes
to weather the challenge
vsto weather the storm
7.0

Manage to get through a difficult situation

is about steady survival through a whole difficult period
to navigate tough situations
vsto weather the storm
5.1

To deal with difficult situations calmly and successfully

is more about long term survival than occasional problem solving
to ride with the punches
vsto weather the storm
  • Informal
7.2

To accept and adapt to difficult times without giving up

implies enduring a whole challenging period rather than flexible responses

Antonyms

to fail
898 1.0

Not succeed in doing something you wanted to do

to succumb
44 6.6

To die because of a serious illness or strong force

How Resilient

to overcome
429 2.9
to weather the storm
  • Informal
11 5.2
to get through
332 2.8
to cope
272 2.9

Surface Forms

weather the storm infinitive
weathered the storm past
weathered the storm past participle
weathering the storm present participle
weathers the storm third person singular

Morphology

weather + the + storm

Both constituents map directly onto the idiomatic sense: 'weather' (to endure/outlast hardship) plus 'storm' (a period of violent disturbance) naturally composes to 'endure a difficult period'. The metaphor of 'weathering a storm' is transparent and common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the words can infer the meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

The phrase weather the storm comes from the image of people or ships staying safe while a real storm passes, so to weather the storm now means 'to survive or get through a difficult time'.