cloud (redirected from clouds)

cloud over 

1. Lit. [for the sky] to fill with clouds; [for the sun] to be obscured by clouds. It was beginning to cloud over, so we went inside. The sky clouded over and it began to get chilly.

2. Fig. [for something once clear] to become opaque; to become clouded. My vision seemed to cloud over, and I could see very little. The mirror clouded over as the steam rose from the hot water in the sink.

cloud up 

1. Lit. [for the sky] to get cloudy, as if it were going to rain. All of a sudden it clouded up and began to rain. It usually clouds up at the top of the mountain.

2. Fig. [for someone] to grow very sad, as if to cry. Whenever Mary got homesick, she'd cloud up. She really wanted to go home.

See also: up

coming up a cloud

Rur. getting ready to rain. Look at that sky! It's comin' up a cloud!

See also: coming, up

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Prov. You can derive some benefit from every bad thing that happens to you. (You can also refer to the silver lining of a particular cloud, the benefit you can derive from a particular misfortune.) I'm sorry your business is going badly, but don't despair. Every cloud has a silver lining. When Mary's friends visited her in the hospital, they tried to cheer her up, but Mary never could find the silver lining in the cloud of her illness.

See also: every, has, silver

Get your head out of the clouds!

Inf. Stop daydreaming! Get your head out of the clouds and watch where you are driving! You're going to kill us all.

See also: get, head, out

have one's head in the clouds

Fig. to be unaware of what is going on from fantasies or daydreams. "Bob, do you have your head in the clouds?" asked the teacher. She walks around all day with her head in the clouds. She must be in love.

See also: have, head

on cloud nine

Fig. very happy. When I got my promotion, I was on cloud nine. When the check came, I was on cloud nine for days.

See also: nine

under a cloud (of suspicion)

Fig. suspected of something. Someone stole some money at work, and now everyone is under a cloud of suspicion. Even the manager is under a cloud.

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a cloud on the horizon

a problem or difficulty which you expect to happen in the future The only cloud on the horizon is the physics exam in June - I'm sure I'll do fine in all the others.

See also: horizon

be on cloud nine  (informal)

to be very happy For a few days after I heard I'd got the job, I was on cloud nine.

See also: nine

be under a cloud

if someone or something is under a cloud, they are not trusted or not popular because people think they have done something bad The bishop's brother resigned from his job under a cloud. The hotel business is under a cloud at the moment after newspapers revealed that many tourists were being systematically overcharged.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

something that you say which means that there is something good even in an unpleasant situation As the trip's been cancelled I'll be able to go to the match this Saturday. Every cloud has a silver lining.

See also: every, has, silver

have your head in the clouds

to not know what is really happening around you because you are paying too much attention to your own ideas He's an academic. They've all got their heads in the clouds.

See also: have, head

live in cloud-cuckoo land

to believe that things you want will happen, when really they are impossible Anyone who thinks this project will be finished within six weeks is living in cloud-cuckoo land.

See also: land, live

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a cloud on the horizon also (dark) clouds on the horizon

a problem or difficulty that is likely to happen in the future For farmers, another cloud on the horizon is higher prices for fertilizer and fuel. Even when everything is going perfectly, Bruce can see dark clouds on the horizon.

Related vocabulary: on the horizon

See also: horizon

on cloud nine

very happy She just bought her first new car and she's on cloud nine.

See also: nine

under a cloud

thought possibly to be involved in something illegal or criminal Several people at my company have suddenly left under a cloud and are being investigated by the police.