Meaning
'Trouble nuh set like rain' — trouble gives no warning. Where rain announces itself with gathering, darkening clouds so you can run for shelter, hardship and disaster can strike suddenly and unannounced, with no sign beforehand. The proverb is a sober caution to stay prepared and never take an easy day for granted, since misfortune, unlike the weather, does not 'set up' in the sky where you can see it coming.
Examples
-
Everyting did fine, then di accident happen. Trouble nuh set like rain.
Everything was fine, then the accident happened. Trouble comes without warning.
-
Always keep a likkle put weh, for trouble nuh set like rain.
Always keep a little saved, because trouble strikes unexpectedly.
-
One day yuh good, next day yuh down. Trouble nuh set like rain.
One day you're fine, the next you're low. Trouble gives no notice.
Origin
A weather image reversed: where rain 'sets up' visibly with darkening clouds, the proverb notes that trouble, unlike rain, offers no such visible warning.
How it’s used
Used to counsel readiness and to console after sudden misfortune.