cloud over
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
When the sky fills up with clouds, or when someone's face suddenly looks sad or worried.
Literal meaning: To become covered ('over') with clouds ('cloud').
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
Of the sky: to become covered with clouds, causing the weather to change.
"It was sunny in the morning, but the sky began to cloud over by early afternoon."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
Of a person's face or eyes: to suddenly show an expression of sadness, worry, or disapproval.
"Her face clouded over when she heard the news about her colleague."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Used both for weather (the sky clouding over) and figuratively for facial expressions and moods. When used of a person's face, it vividly describes a sudden change in expression. Common in descriptive writing and everyday speech.
Commonly used with
sky face expression eyes mood afternoon
Forms
Base
cloud over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
clouds over
he/she/it
Past simple
clouded over
yesterday
Past participle
clouded over
have + pp
-ing form
clouding over
continuous
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