loom large

loom large

To seem imminent and cause worry or unease. We all started working much faster once the deadline loomed large on the horizon.

See also: large, loom

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

loom large (on the horizon)

Cliché to be of great importance, especially when referring to an upcoming problem, danger, or threat. The exams were looming large on the horizon. Eviction was looming large when the tenants could not pay their rent.

See also: large, loom

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

loom large

Appear imminent in a threatening, magnified form. For example, The possibility of civil war loomed large on the horizon, or Martha wanted to take it easy for a week, but the bar exam loomed large. This term employs loom in the sense of "come into view," a usage dating from the late 1500s.

See also: large, loom

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ˌloom ˈlarge

(of an important problem, event, etc.) approach and seem worrying or frightening: With the local elections looming large, the Conservative party is beginning to look nervous. ♢ In your last year of school, public exams loom very large in your mind.

See also: large, loom

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017