cloud over
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (intransitive):
- To become overcast: To become completely covered by clouds, describing a change in the sky's condition from clear or partly cloudy to fully cloudy.
- To become gloomy or troubled: Used figuratively to describe a person's face or mood becoming suddenly sad, angry, or troubled.
Usage and Examples
Literal (Weather):
- We should head back; the sky is clouding over quickly.
- It was a beautiful morning, but it clouded over by noon.
Figurative (Mood/Expression):
- Her face clouded over when she heard the bad news.
- His cheerful demeanor clouded over as he recalled the difficult memory.
Advanced Usage
- The phrasal verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object. The change happens to the subject itself (e.g., the sky, his face).
- It often implies a relatively quick or noticeable change in state.
Variants and Related Words
- Overcast (adj.): Describes the sky when it is completely covered by clouds.
- The forecast predicts an overcast day.
- Cloudy (adj.): Having many clouds in the sky.
- It's a cloudy afternoon.
Synonyms
- Become overcast (literal).
- Darken (can be used for both literal and figurative contexts).
- Gloom (verb, chiefly figurative).
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Cloud up: Similar to "cloud over," often used for transparent surfaces like glass or windows becoming misty or foggy.
- The bathroom mirror clouded up from the steam.
Related Idioms
- A cloud on the horizon: A problem or trouble that is expected in the future.
- The budget deficit is the only cloud on the horizon for the company.
- Under a cloud: Experiencing suspicion, distrust, or disgrace.
- He resigned from his post under a cloud of scandal.
Verb
- become overcast
- the sky clouded over
- become covered with clouds
- The sky clouded over