# cloud over

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cloud-over
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to become covered with clouds, or to look sad or worried suddenly.

For teachers: to become overcast with clouds; figuratively, to exhibit a sudden change in facial expression reflecting sadness, anger, or anxiety.

## Examples

- The sky began to cloud over before the rain started.
- His face clouded over when he heard the news about the job cuts.
- Although the morning began with brilliant sunshine, the horizon soon clouded over, signaling a shift in the local weather patterns.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The sky clouded over of gray." but "The sky clouded over." — this phrasal verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object or a prepositional phrase starting with 'of'.

## Usage notes

- can be used literally for weather or figuratively for a person's mood or expression.
- Teaching tip: use the weather meaning as a visual anchor to explain the figurative meaning of a person's face 'darkening' with emotion.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.