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Coming down like the bars of hell

Posted by ESC on July 26, 2007

In Reply to: Coming down like the bars of hell posted by Baceseras on July 25, 2007

: Rain "coming down like the bars of hell" --- in the recent discussion of this comparison, absent was any mention of why bars would be "coming down". The image is of a portcullis, handily defined by the OED:

: "A strong barrier in the form of a grating of wooden or iron bars, usually suspended by chains above the gateway of a fortress, a fortified town, etc., and able to secure the entrance quickly by being released to slide down vertical grooves in the sides of the gateway."

: We may understand that the rain in the comparison is falling suddenly, swiftly, and with implacable force.

Interesting! I can't wait until it rains so I can use that phrase.

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