hang over

phr.v. to be positioned or suspended above something else.

phr.v. to be suspended or positioned directly above a surface or object. This sense is usually inseparable.

“A thick layer of smoke started to hang over the city after the fireworks.”

“A heavy chandelier hung over the dining table, casting a warm glow across the assembled guests during the evening meal.”

phr.v. to make you feel worried or unhappy because something bad might happen.

phr.v. to be imminent or threatening in a way that causes persistent anxiety or gloom. Often used with abstract nouns like 'threat', 'cloud', or 'suspicion'.

“The fear of losing his job continued to hang over him all month.”

“The threat of a national strike hung over the negotiations, making both sides hesitant to reach a final agreement before the deadline.”

phr.v. to continue to exist from an earlier time, often in a way that is not wanted.

phr.v. to persist or linger as a remainder from a previous period or event. Often used in the context of traditions or unresolved issues.

“Old traditions still hang over the village, even though life has changed.”

“A sense of colonial history still hangs over the architecture of the capital, serving as a constant reminder of the city's complex origins.”

Literary