make it rain

English

Etymology

Originates as a slang term for throwing out lots of cash to dancers in strip clubs, as if money is raining down on them. Draws from its roots in rainmaker (“a medicine man who seeks to induce rain; (figuratively) a person having the ability to generate business”).

Pronunciation

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Verb

make it rain (third-person singular simple present makes it rain, present participle making it rain, simple past and past participle made it rain)

1. (idiomatic) To bring prosperity or work to an enterprise by selling, inventing or other productive or successful activity.

   It's time to make it rain, my friend!

2. (idiomatic) To throw a substantial amount of paper money so that it falls on a crowd, audience, performer, or group of performers, often as a way to show off one's wealth.

   John has a propensity to make it rain at parties when he is drunk.

   • 2004, “Push It”, in Diplomatic Immunity 2, performed by The Diplomats, New York, N.Y.: Koch Records, →OCLC:

     Get your mayo, sell that yayo, strip clubs make it rain / These thugs play the game, get bucks save that cane

3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see make,‎ it,‎ rain.

   I asked higher powers to make it rain to save our crops.

Related terms

• rainmaking