gathering clouds

A sign of impending trouble or danger. (The "clouds" refer to storm clouds.) There have been gathering clouds in the city for months—I'm nervous that a riot will erupt soon.

See also: cloud, gathering

References in classic literature ?

There were thick gathering clouds in the sky, but she took no note of them save to be glad that she could raise her sunshade.

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Debray, who perceived the gathering clouds, and felt no desire to witness the explosion of Madame Danglars' rage, suddenly recollected an appointment, which compelled him to take his leave; while Monte Cristo, unwilling by prolonging his stay to destroy the advantages he hoped to obtain, made a farewell bow and departed, leaving Danglars to endure the angry reproaches of his wife.

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The darkening of the light was produced by gathering clouds.

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Sometimes that gathering cloud of suspicion seemed to him grotesque.

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But that doesn't mean that the sight of gathering clouds in the sky is not also a legitimate sign that one might need an umbrella -- even if the weather forecast promises sunshine.

Avoiding evidence-based policy mistakes

A few alarm bells may ring and there is a sense of gathering clouds in your backyard today.

Stars

A few alarm bells may ring, and there is a sense of gathering clouds in your backyard today.

Justin Toper YOUR HOROSCOPE WITH

You can be perfectly "legal" flying in the airspace you're in as long as the visibility stays above minimums and you're clear of the gathering clouds, but if any of these conditions are starting to come into play, it's time to decide if you're going to (a) revise your plans, or (b) hope your life isn't about to become a "don't do this" example to future flying students.

What Is The Most Dangerous Airspace For Planes To Fly Through?

To reverse the tide of intolerance and the gathering clouds of hate that threaten to engulf us all and to take back our country from the brink, I propose the following measures from the perspective of a citizen who has sought 'to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield':

A citizen's manifesto, 2017

Though this is at heart a YA romance, skilled writing, a world that arouses curiosity, and gathering clouds of political intrigue will draw crossover readers as well.

The High Ground

In its October 2015 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa, titled Dealing with the Gathering Clouds, the IMF attributed the slowdown to the combination of the sharp fall of commodity prices and more difficult financing conditions.

United States : IMF Sees Lower Growth Ahead for Sub Saharan Africa; Calls for Economic Policies to Adjust to New Environment

It was gone midnight, a star hanging solo in a sky gathering clouds.

MORNING SERIAL

Conditions were ripe for England's bowlers to respond in kind, with plenty of assistance on offer amid gathering clouds.

Ali strikes to keep England in the running; Moeen takes two crucial wickets TEST CRICKET

In- form Sri Lankan Mithun Perera emerged as the brightest star amid the gathering clouds, as he joined secondround leader Rashid Khan at the top of the leaderboard in the incomplete third round at the Delhi Golf Club.

Perera shines amid the rain

When I was about twelve years old, I began to connect his war years to the nervousness I detected in him, his distant solitude, the way he slipped inside the house at the sound of thunder and the gathering clouds as the hot, humid climate gave way to the coast of Japan.