Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

It was raining cats and dogs when I reached there.

To rain very heavily

The most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence is to rain very heavily.

The idiom "raining cats and dogs" is used to describe a very heavy downpour of rain. It is thought to have originated from the idea that it is so raining hard that it seems like cats and dogs are falling from the sky.

In the given sentence, the speaker is saying that it was raining very heavily when they arrived at a certain place.

The other options are not accurate descriptions of the meaning of the idiom.

• Lots of appreciation: This idiom is more accurately described as "to be showered with praise."
• Not raining at all: This idiom is more accurately described as "a dry day."
• Place full of animals: This idiom is not related to rain.