Explaining "It never rains but it pours"

What does it mean?

The phrase "It never rains but it pours" means that when something happens, it often happens to an extreme degree or that multiple similar events occur simultaneously or in succession.

Tone

Origin

The phrase is a proverbial saying dating back to at least the early 18th century. It encapsulates the idea that misfortunes tend to come all at once. It may have originated from the observation that weather can be calm for a period, only for heavy rain to suddenly inundate an area.