rain dance

• Danse cérémonielle exécutée par certaines cultures autochtones qui, selon les croyances traditionnelles, est censée provoquer la pluie. Dans l'usage informel moderne, le terme peut aussi désigner toute action empreinte d'espoir ou superstitieuse entreprise pour obtenir un résultat souhaité.

A ceremonial dance performed by some indigenous cultures, traditionally believed to invoke rain. In modern informal usage, it can also refer to any hopeful or superstitious action taken to bring about a desired outcome.

1. Ritual dance for rainB2formal

   A ceremonial dance performed by some cultures, believed to invoke rain from the gods or spirits.

   danse de la pluie

   • The tribe performed a rain dance during the drought.
   • Anthropologists studied the traditional rain dance of the indigenous people.
   • The rain dance was accompanied by chanting and drumming.

2. Figurative: Hopeful actionB2informal

   An action taken in the hope of bringing about a desired outcome, often used humorously or metaphorically.

   danse de la pluie (au sens figuré)

   • The farmers did a rain dance hoping for a good harvest.
   • I'm doing a rain dance for my job application to succeed.
   • He joked that he would do a rain dance to get the project approved.