expression, ichidan verb
be struck by lightning
Literal meaning: lightning strikes (someone or something). Often used with a person as the subject or in passive-like constructions.
昨日、近所の木に雷が落ちた。
Lightning struck a tree in the neighborhood yesterday.
ゴルフ中に雷が落ちて、大けがをした人
Someone was seriously injured when lightning struck while they were golfing.
expression, ichidan verb
get yelled at; be scolded harshly
Idiomatic: receiving a severe scolding from a superior, parent, or authority figure, likened to being struck by lightning. Often used when the scolding is sudden and intense.
成績が悪くて、父に雷が落ちた。
My grades were so bad that my father really let me have it.
遅刻したら、部長から雷が落ちるよ。
If you're late, the department head will chew you out.