Thunder is loud and strong. Sometimes, people use the word “thunder” in special phrases to show big feelings, actions, or surprises. These phrases are called idioms. They don’t always mean what they say, but they help us understand something better.
In this article, you will learn idioms that use the word “thunder.” These idioms can describe things like anger, attention, or excitement. For example, if someone “steals your thunder,” it doesn’t mean they really took your thunder it means they took your moment to shine. These thunder idioms can make your stories and speaking more powerful. Let’s look at some!
Idioms for Thunder
1. Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: Take credit for someone else’s idea or success.
Samples: She stole my thunder by telling my joke first. / He felt upset when his friend stole his thunder at the award ceremony.
To Put it Another Way: She got attention for my idea. / He took the spotlight from me.
2. Thunderous applause
Meaning: Very loud clapping to show approval.
Samples: The crowd gave thunderous applause after the play. / He got thunderous applause for his speech.
To Put it Another Way: People clapped loudly. / The room was full of cheering.
3. Face like thunder
Meaning: Looking very angry.
Samples: She came in with a face like thunder after the test. / He had a face like thunder when he lost.
To Put it Another Way: She looked really mad. / He was clearly upset.
4. Thunder down the hallway
Meaning: Make loud, fast noise while moving.
Samples: The kids thundered down the hallway to lunch. / He thundered down the stairs in a rush.
To Put it Another Way: They made a lot of noise running. / He came down loudly and quickly.
5. A voice like thunder
Meaning: A loud or powerful voice.
Samples: The coach yelled with a voice like thunder. / Her voice was like thunder during the speech.
To Put it Another Way: She spoke loudly and strongly. / His voice shook the room.
6. Thunder rolls
Meaning: Trouble or a tense moment is coming.
Samples: Thunder rolls whenever they start arguing. / It felt like thunder was rolling before the fight.
To Put it Another Way: Something bad is starting. / Trouble is on the way.
7. Stolen thunder
Meaning: Someone else took the credit.
Samples: I worked hard, but my team leader stole my thunder. / She felt sad because her idea was stolen thunder.
To Put it Another Way: Someone took her moment. / He lost his chance to shine.
8. Thunderous silence
Meaning: Silence that feels strong or meaningful.
Samples: After the joke, there was a thunderous silence. / The thunderous silence in the room showed how serious it was.
To Put it Another Way: It was so quiet, it felt loud. / The silence said a lot.
9. Clap like thunder
Meaning: Clap very loudly.
Samples: The fans clapped like thunder after the win. / She clapped like thunder for her friend’s dance.
To Put it Another Way: She clapped really loud. / The applause was very strong.
10. Like a bolt of thunder
Meaning: Something sudden or surprising.
Samples: His answer came like a bolt of thunder. / The news hit me like a bolt of thunder.
To Put it Another Way: It surprised me a lot. / It was sudden and loud, like thunder.
11. Thunder in your chest
Meaning: Feeling very nervous or excited.
Samples: I felt thunder in my chest before going on stage. / Her heart beat like thunder during the race.
To Put it Another Way: My heart was pounding. / I was full of nervous energy.
12. Thunder ahead
Meaning: Warning that something big or bad is coming.
Samples: There’s thunder ahead if we don’t fix this. / The dark sky looked like thunder ahead.
To Put it Another Way: Trouble is coming. / We need to be ready.
13. Eyes full of thunder
Meaning: Looking very angry or serious.
Samples: His eyes were full of thunder during the meeting. / She gave me a thunder-filled stare.
To Put it Another Way: She looked fierce. / He was clearly upset.
14. Roar like thunder
Meaning: Make a very loud sound.
Samples: The crowd roared like thunder when we scored. / The lion roared like thunder in the zoo.
To Put it Another Way: It was very loud. / The sound filled the space.
15. Thunder in the distance
Meaning: A sign that something might go wrong later.
Samples: There was thunder in the distance before the argument. / I heard thunder in the distance and knew a storm was coming.
To Put it Another Way: I could tell trouble was near. / It felt like something bad was coming.
16. Heart of thunder
Meaning: Brave and strong-hearted.
Samples: She had a heart of thunder and didn’t give up. / His heart of thunder showed in the game.
To Put it Another Way: He was very brave. / She didn’t back down.
17. Voice thunders across the room
Meaning: Speaking so loudly that everyone hears.
Samples: The teacher’s voice thundered across the room. / His voice thundered when he got mad.
To Put it Another Way: Everyone could hear him clearly. / He spoke very loud.
18. Thunder cracks
Meaning: A loud, sudden noise or reaction.
Samples: Thunder cracked as the team entered the field. / The joke made thunder crack with laughter.
To Put it Another Way: A loud sound filled the space. / It was sudden and sharp.
19. Storm of thunder
Meaning: A big, loud reaction or feeling.
Samples: A storm of thunder followed the big win. / She spoke in a storm of thunder and emotion.
To Put it Another Way: It was loud and full of feeling. / The reaction was very strong.
20. Full of thunder
Meaning: Full of energy, emotion, or power.
Samples: His speech was full of thunder. / The play was full of thunder from start to finish.
To Put it Another Way: It had strong feelings and sound. / It was full of power.
21. Thunder out of nowhere
Meaning: A surprise action or noise.
Samples: She yelled like thunder out of nowhere. / The crash came like thunder out of nowhere.
To Put it Another Way: It surprised everyone. / It was sudden and loud.
22. Eyes thunder with anger
Meaning: Looking very angry.
Samples: His eyes thundered with anger after the game. / She looked at me and her eyes thundered.
To Put it Another Way: She looked mad. / His eyes showed his feelings.
23. Drop like thunder
Meaning: To fall suddenly and loudly.
Samples: The book dropped like thunder on the desk. / The chair hit the floor like thunder.
To Put it Another Way: It made a big sound when it fell. / It dropped fast and loud.
24. Come in like thunder
Meaning: Arrive with energy or force.
Samples: The team came in like thunder. / She walked into the room like thunder.
To Put it Another Way: They came with power. / It was a big entrance.
25. Silence before the thunder
Meaning: A quiet moment before something big happens.
Samples: It was the silence before the thunder before the game started. / The quiet felt like silence before thunder.
To Put it Another Way: Something big was about to happen. / The quiet was strange and strong.
26. Shake like thunder
Meaning: To move or shake strongly.
Samples: The house shook like thunder in the storm. / The drums shook the ground like thunder.
To Put it Another Way: It moved a lot. / The shaking was loud and strong.
27. Move with thunder
Meaning: Move quickly and powerfully.
Samples: The horses moved with thunder down the field. / He ran with thunder across the gym.
To Put it Another Way: They moved fast and strong. / The ground felt their steps.
28. Thunder of thoughts
Meaning: A loud or busy mind, full of ideas.
Samples: My mind was full of the thunder of thoughts. / She couldn’t sleep with the thunder of thoughts in her head.
To Put it Another Way: I had too many things on my mind. / My brain was busy and loud.
29. Thunder-struck
Meaning: Very surprised or shocked.
Samples: I was thunder-struck by the news. / She looked thunder-struck when she heard.
To Put it Another Way: I couldn’t believe it. / She was very surprised.
30. Make thunder
Meaning: Create a loud noise or big effect.
Samples: The team made thunder as they ran in. / Their song made thunder in the concert hall.
To Put it Another Way: It was loud and powerful. / They made a strong impact.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Thunder
Story Title: “Loud Moments at the Talent Show”
It was the night of the school talent show, and the gym was packed. As the lights dimmed, a thunderous silence filled the room. Then, with a loud bang, the first act came in like thunder. Everyone clapped like thunder for the dancers.
Backstage, Mia felt thunder in her chest. It was her first time singing in front of a crowd. She remembered what her mom said: “You have a heart of thunder. You can do this.”
When she walked on stage, the audience gave her thunderous applause. She sang so strong that her voice thundered across the room. After her final note, there was a moment of silence before the thunder, then the crowd roared like thunder.
Later, her friend Max teased her, “You stole my thunder! I wanted the loudest cheer.” She laughed. “You’ll get it next time.” He smiled, though his face looked a little like thunder.
Your Task:
Underline or list all 8 idioms for thunder you found in the story.
Answer Key
- Thunderous silence
- Came in like thunder
- Clapped like thunder
- Thunder in her chest
- Heart of thunder
- Thunderous applause
- Voice thundered across the room
- Roared like thunder
Conclusion
Thunder idioms are a loud and powerful way to express feelings and moments. They help show big things like excitement, anger, and surprise. When you say someone “has a voice like thunder” or “stole my thunder,” you’re painting a stronger picture with words.
Using these idioms can make your stories and talks more fun and meaningful. Try adding a thunder idiom when something big happens or when you want to show strong feelings. It will help others feel the moment just like you do.
