Under A Cloud

Question

Hi,Could you please teach me the usage of the idiom "under a cloud" ? Where am I supposed to put it in a sentence? For example Under a cloud I chased him quietly or I chased him quietly under a cloud? I think the first one is much better than the 2nd one but I am not sure. Thanks, dj bueno.

Nona the brit · Accepted Answer

The idiom 'under a cloud' means that you are feeling miserable, depressed, fed up, gloomy.   So I don't think it really goes with chasing someone?  See if you can think of a more appropriate example and post it here again and we'll help you sort out your word order.

Dj Bueno · Answer

Hi again,

But in my databank ,when I write "under a cloud" it says "having suspicion about sth." in turkish.But u say "feel miserable,depressed..etc." That's why I wrote an example like that.Ok...I hope this one will be an appropriate example. "Under a cloud I decided to break up with him" or "I deciced to break up with him under a cloud." I think 1st is much better, but again I'm not sure.(I'm eager to learn everything,every detail..) Lookin forward to hearin from u asap.Thanks from now.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Under a cloud also means under suspicion.

'Many well-known baseball stars have been under a cloud since the widespread use of steroids in the sport was revealed.'
'Since my wife saw me talking to that cute lady down the street, my every trip to the convenience store has been underaken under a cloud.'

You will also meet the more complete phrase, under a/the cloud of suspicion, DJ.

Dj Bueno · Answer

Mister Micawber
Under a cloud also means under suspicion.

'Many well-known baseball stars have been under a cloud since the widespread use of steroids in the sport was revealed.'
'Since my wife saw me talking to that cute lady down the street, my every trip to the convenience store has been underaken under a cloud.'

You will also meet the more complete phrase, under a/the cloud of suspicion, DJ.

Mr.Mic.thank u very much for your comprehensible examples..I've got it! But which usage is much better? I mean if s.o feels miserable or doleful should I use "under a cloud" or if s.o. has suspicion about sth. then is it time to use "under a cloud"? I'm a little bit confused.I mean generally how do people use that idiom? Or maybe it is not often used?? Also do we have to put an auxiliary verb before "under a cloud".E.g. I have been under a cloud due to the ...bla bla bla I mean can't we say it without using an auxiliary verb? Is it always necessary? And lastly you said that convenience store has been underaken... What's the meaning of "underaken", did you mean "undertaken"??

Take care..

Bueno..

Mister Micawber · Answer

Just like single words, idioms and phrases can have several meanings, and it is solely the context which determines which meaning is intended:

Turn right.
You're right.
It's right here.

These three rights have very different meanings, yet with the very little context given we can understand each one.

Under a cloud can be used either way; neither is 'better'. I cannot say how often it is used; it is used when appropriate to the conversation. In addition to the two sentences I have already given you as examples of how people use the idiom, Mr. Google found me 124,000 pages that include 'under a cloud', in only 0.22 second -- you might want to have a look at how the phrase is used there.

The verb form is irrelevant. The idiom is merely an idiomatic prepositional phrase:

I remain under a cloud.
I remained uac.
I have remained uac.
I will remain uac.
I will be remaining uac.
etc.

And yes, I omitted the t of undertaken.

Dj Bueno · Answer

under a cloud

- depressed, sad
She has been under a cloud of depression since her cat died. HEAD3>

under a cloud (of suspicion)

- not trusted, suspected of doing something wrong

The politician has been under a cloud of suspicion over the possibility of taking bribes.

MEANING:

If someone is suspected of having done something wrong, they are under a cloud.

ORIGIN:

International English

After he caused the accident, Peter was under a cloud for several weeks.

With the help of your explanations and Mr. Google's helpful results I think I've learnt the usage clearly

By the way as I was searching,sth came back to me; Generally cloud is regarded as the symbol of "sorrow,dolefulness",it reminds people of gloom, am I right? That's why people use it when they wanna express that they're feelin miserable,unhappy.And at times cloud can be considered as the symbol of "mystery" due to it's color maybe (at times black,isn't it?) So that's why poeple use it to express that they're suspicious about sth..So there are 2 usages of that idiom.I think I've really got it now!

Thanks Mr.Mic.,Gratzie and Tesekkürler ( in turkish it means "thanks")

Take care..

BuenoHEAD3>

Anonymous · Answer

hi, can i had a favor on you, i just wanted to know , what is the meaning of 'under coud and under star'

Fivejedjon · Answer

Anonymoushi, can i had a favor on you, i just wanted to know , what is the meaning of 'under coud and under star'

Can I ask you a favor? I just wanted to know what the meaning of 'under cloud and under star' is.
Can I ask you a favor? I just wanted to know the meaning of 'under cloud and under star' .
Can I ask you a favor? I just wanted to know what 'under cloud and under star' means.
What does 'under cloud and under start' mean, please?

Anonymous · Answer

depressed fed up

Under A Cloud

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under a cloud

under a cloud (of suspicion)

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