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Glite Dictionary
under a cloud

under a cloud

5 7.9
Being suspected or disliked by other people
  • idiom
translation icon : bajo sospecha
  • "No American should ever live under a cloud of suspicion just because of what they look like," he said.
  • left under a cloud

And when he comes back from Australia under a cloud, he gets arrested here and he's charged with and convicted of numerous offensive deception.

Examples

  • They thought that he was leaving the ambassador under a cloud of unjust suspicion, which might be lightened, if not removed, by a frank statement of what he knew of the dead man.

    Blog text (22)

  • But now the parents say they are living under a cloud of suspicion.

  • The president who appointed Kirkwood, William M. Daily, left office under a cloud.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Now he has resigned under a cloud from his participation as a host at EWTN.

    Blog text (32)

  • Congressional vetoes are under a cloud of judicial suspicion.

    Academic text (1991)

  • George contemplates suicide after his uncle has misplaced $8,000, and George comes under a cloud of suspicion.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Although he left Canada under a cloud of accusations that he had cheated a number of rich business partners out of their money, he remained close friends with the Minister of Militia and Defence, Sir Sam Hughes, and the Prime Minister.

    Academic text (2005)

  • As Ahmadinejad enters his second term under a cloud in the eyes of those outraged by the Masha'i affair, he must also contend with the wider discord engendered under his previous term.

    Academic text (2010)

  • Does this mean I must spend the rest of my life living under a cloud of suspicion?

  • For the next six years, Newman lived under a cloud, his creativity seriously impeded.

Synonyms

glum
vsunder a cloud
23 4.1

Looking or feeling sad and quiet

is about being suspected or socially disfavored as well as feeling down

Antonyms

in good odor
  • Archaic
9.7

A person or group that people respect and trust

How Favored

in good odor
  • Archaic
9.7
under a cloud
5 7.9
disfavor
4 6.2
disgraced
6 4.6

Surface Forms

under a cloud positive

Morphology

under + a + cloud

The phrase relies on a metaphorical use of 'cloud' (something casting gloom or suspicion) combined with 'under' to indicate being subject to that state, so a B1 learner who knows the words could infer a general negative or gloomy condition. However, the precise sense of being 'in suspicion or disfavor' (rather than merely sad or gloomy) is somewhat idiomatic and not fully predictable without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The idiom under a cloud gives the image of a person standing under a dark cloud, which makes them look shadowed and makes others watch them with doubt. That's why being under a cloud means being 'in a state of suspicion or disfavor'.