lightning
noun /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/
  /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/
[uncountable]Idioms - a flash, or several flashes, of very bright light in the sky caused by electricity
- a flash of lightning
 - a violent storm with thunder and lightning
 - He was struck by lightning and killed.
 - Lightning strikes caused scores of fires across the state.
 
Collocations The weatherThe weatherGood weathersee also forked lightning, heat lightning, sheet lightning- be bathed in/bask in/be blessed with/enjoy bright/brilliant/glorious sunshine
 - the sun shines/warms something/beats down (on something)
 - the sunshine breaks/streams through something
 - fluffy/wispy clouds drift across the sky
 - a gentle/light/stiff/cool/warm/sea breeze blows in/comes in off the sea
 - the snow crunches beneath/under somebody’s feet/boots
 
- thick/dark/storm clouds form/gather/roll in/cover the sky/block out the sun
 - the sky darkens/turns black
 - a fine mist hangs in the air
 - a dense/heavy/thick fog rolls in
 - the rain falls/comes down (in buckets/sheets)/pours down
 - snow falls/comes down/covers something
 - the wind blows/whistles/howls/picks up/whips through something/sweeps across something
 - strong/gale-force winds blow/gust (up to 80 mph)
 - a storm is approaching/is moving inland/hits/strikes/rages
 - thunder rolls/rumbles/sounds
 - (forked/sheet) lightning strikes/hits/flashes
 - a (blinding/snow) blizzard hits/strikes/blows/rages
 - a tornado touches down/hits/strikes/destroys something/rips through something
 - forecast/expect/predict rain/snow/a category-four hurricane
 - (North American English) pour (down)/ (British English) pour (down) with rain
 - get caught in/seek shelter from/escape the rain
 - be covered/shrouded in mist/a blanket of fog
 - be in for/brave/shelter from a/the storm
 - hear rolling/distant thunder
 - be battered/buffeted by strong winds
 - (British English) be blowing a gale
 - battle against/brave the elements
 
- the sun breaks through the clouds
 - the sky clears/brightens (up)/lightens (up)
 - the clouds part/clear
 - the rain stops/lets up/holds off
 - the wind dies down
 - the storm passes
 - the mist/fog lifts/clears
 
Extra ExamplesTopics Weatherb1- Forked lightning flickered across the sky.
 - Lightning flashed outside.
 - Lightning hit the tree.
 - Lightning lit up the night sky.
 
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- ball
 - forked
 - sheet
 - …
 
- bolt
 - flash
 - streak
 - …
 
- flash
 - illuminate something
 - light something
 - …
 
- bolt
 - flash
 - storm
 - …
 
- thunder and lightning
 
Word OriginMiddle English: special use of lightening (verbal noun from lighten in the sense ‘to become lighter’ or ‘brighter’). 
Idioms 
lightning never strikes (in the same place) twice 
- (saying) an unusual or unpleasant event is not likely to happen in the same place or to the same people twice                                     
 
like (greased) lightning 
- very fast
- He leapt out of the car like lightning.
 - He jumped out of the car like greased lightning.