- English translation
Had rain been coming, its signs would have shown by late afternoon.
- Literal wording
If it drizzled, it would have [shown signs that it would] drizzle from the afternoon.
- Meaning and lesson
Events that truly occur, or are genuinely about to occur, usually leave earlier indications that allow people to infer what is coming. The saying rejects a claim when none of the expected preliminary signs can be seen.
Its image is of light rain and the signs expected before it, rather than necessarily a heavy storm. It can also urge attention to observable evidence rather than hindsight or unsupported assertion.
- When it is used
Use it when challenging a claim that something happened or was foreseeable despite the absence of the usual warning signs. It suits discussion of practical matters, plans, and outcomes where earlier evidence would reasonably have been expected.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Had rain been coming, its signs would have shown by late afternoon.