the forces of nature

force of nature

1. Literally, the earth's powerful climatological phenomena, such as wind or rain, that humans cannot control. Often used in the plural. The idea is to harness the forces of nature to create alternative, renewable energy sources. In this part of the country, you're at greater risk from the forces of nature than any criminals or wild animals.
2. Someone or something with a huge and seemingly unstoppable amount of energy, influence, or force. The gold-medal cyclist is a force of nature to behold on the road, enduring conditions that would make the most stalwart athletes wilt. People are paying respects to the late senator, a political force of nature who shook up the entire landscape in Washington, D.C.
See also: force, nature, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the forces of ˈnature

the power of the wind, rain, etc., especially when it causes damage or harm: This is one of the few areas of the country where the forces of nature are in control, which is why people don’t live here.
See also: force, nature, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • force of nature
  • peeper
  • peepers
  • iron in the fire
  • pork chop
  • prelim
  • prelims
  • The wolf is at the door
  • the wolf is at the/(one's) door
  • a home truth
References in classic literature
All that we know of the external world of nature is only a certain relation of the forces of nature to inevitability, or of the essence of life to the laws of reason.
War and Peace
Looking back after much love and much trouble, the instinct of primitive man, who seeks to personify the forces of Nature for his affection and for his fear, is awakened again in the breast of one civilized beyond that stage even in his infancy.
Mirror of the Sea
The connection between all the forces of nature is felt instinctively....
Anna Karenina
They would learn that Tara of Helium might not be ruled even by the forces of nature!
The Chessmen of Mars
The Will to Power is this force, "the instinct of self-preservation is only one of the indirect and most frequent results thereof." A certain lack of acumen in psychological questions and the condition of affairs in England at the time Darwin wrote, may both, according to Nietzsche, have induced the renowned naturalist to describe the forces of nature as he did in his "Origin of Species".
Thus Spake Zarathustra
With this one, all the forces of nature that are occult and deep and strong must have worked together in some wonderous way.
Dracula
BBC chiefs said Perfect Planet, a science-led series narrated by Sir David showing how the forces of nature shape and support life, will be screened next year.
David's 5 new shows.. at 92; Veteran naturalist preparing for busiest period of his long career
* Extreme Battlefields: When War Meets the Forces of Nature
Extreme Battlefields: When War Meets the Forces of Nature
He also looks at how our world is built up of myriad shapes which all obey the forces of nature no matter where or what they are.
Brian's a universal hit; WORDS BRIAN MCIVER Popular professor explores forces that shape our planet in his first BBC1 series
The Forces of Nature: Our Quest to Conquer the Planet follows the migration routes of the earliest modern humans and considers why our ancestors chose to settle down in places that were utopias - and which often held spiritual overtones and influences.
The Science Shelf
The forces of nature; our quest to conquer the planet.
The forces of nature; our quest to conquer the planet
Human actions are beginning to challenge and to change the forces of nature. Whereas previously we were the victims of climate, now we are the agents of changing it.
Bishop and Archbishop of Liverpool send Christmas messages to region
At first the four men feel that the forces of nature around them have conscious intentions, both helpful and hostile.
Contemplating sand and trees in "The Open Boat" and the Odyssey
The site includes an overview of the topic--a theory that may hold the key to unifying our understanding of the forces of nature, an interview with the book's author, viewpoints from leading physicists (not all of whom agree), slideshows and interactives exploring the mathematics and science behind Greene's work, and a teaching guide.
The theory of everything
In addition to "wearing out the deck" of his home pacing as he observed ocean storms, he traveled to Nassau, Cuba, Florida, Bermuda, interpreting the bright Caribbean light on the exotic scenery, omitting human figures, showing them in their struggle against the forces of nature, or displaying their fragility against vast expanses of sea and sky.
Painting nature on the wing