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rain down

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rain something down (on someone or something)

to pour something, such as criticism or praise, onto someone or something. (Based on rain down on someone or something.) The employees rained criticism down on the personnel manager for the new policy on sick leave. The audience rained down compliments on the performers.

See also: down, rain

rain down

v.

1. To fall as rain: It rained down hard all day, so we had to cancel the picnic.

2. To fall in large quantities: The rice container tipped over on the top shelf and rice rained down on me.

3. To throw or hurl something down upon someone: The boxer rained blows down on his opponent's head for several seconds. The soldiers rained down arrows from the top of the castle.

See also: down, rain