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I wonder whether it is possible to say "he/she is ..." in this case, using "piss" in its direct (low) meaning. What is more it seems there's some kind of elevation of meaning for the verb "to piss" in this context  - it's pissing cats and dogs, as it is about the rain, which is inanimate, not about a person.

Sorry, this variant sounds just as 'it`s pissing down', without cats or dogs.

Цитата: celine99 от июня 27, 2006, 13:27
Is there an idiom 'it's raining cats and dogs'? Or is it outdated? It's not positive though

I heard the modern variant of this idiom -- 'it's pissing cats and dogs'  this came from my acquaintance who knew English far better than I...

Came across that one a few times in writing. Never in oral speech though.

Is there an idiom 'it's raining cats and dogs'? Or is it outdated? It's not positive though

Цитата: "Rezia" от
It is not an idiom. It should be at least two words long

Nah, I know it's not an idiom. It was just the first cat-related positive example I could think of

Цитата: Radley от февраля 18, 2006, 13:45
'Tomcat'

It is not an idiom. It should be at least two words long. Well, there are many idioms with the word "cat" which are positive. Like a cat that stole the cream (satisfied), like a cat with nine lives (powerful).

Цитировать'not enough room to swing a cat'

nice one! 

There probaby is some negativism attached to the word 'cat'. Just remember expressions like 'not enough room to swing a cat' or 'curiosity killed the cat'. Animal cruelty at its worst.
'Tomcat', on the other hand, is very far from negative, quite the contrary