under a cloud

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈʌn.dɚ ə klaʊd/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Prepositional phrase

under a cloud

1. (idiomatic) Whose future is uncertain due to an anticipated threat or change in circumstance.
   • 2012, Iain W. Provan, 1 & 2 Kings, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series, unnumbered page,

     First Kings 9:10-10:29 brings us back to see the glory of this empire. It is glory that must now be seen with respect to 8:22-53 and 9:1-9. It is therefore glory under a cloud, destined to fade away.

2. (idiomatic) Under suspicion; subject to critical inspection.
   • 1900, Christopher Gustavus Tiedeman, A Treatise on State and Federal Control of Persons and Property in in the United States, Considered from Both a Civil and Criminal Standpoint, volume 1, published 2002, page 103:

     A man accused of a crime is entitled to a speedy trial, not merely because he is under a personal restraint, but also because his reputation is under a cloud, as long as the criminal accusation remains undisposed of.

   • 1900, C.S. Walton, The Civil Law in Spain and Spanish-America, page 13:

     The enlarged Chilean navy was placed under the command of dashing Lord Cochrane, a very distinguished admiral of the British Royal Navy, then under a cloud at home, who took service under the Chilean flag, […] .

   • 2006, Eliot Sefrin, Under a Cloud, page 233:

     “The department feels it's got to suspend any cop who's under a cloud if they're going to maintain public faith in the system. […] "

3. (idiomatic) In or into controversial circumstances.
   • 1966, Helen Wells, Cherry Ames: The Mystery in the Doctor's Office, page 67:

     “Did she resign?” Cherry asked.
     “No, Dr. Fairall fired her. Zelda left here under a cloud. Sort of mysterious. I never found out exactly."

   • 2014 February 27, Yogesh Naik, Bipin Kumar Singh, “Submarine mishap sinks navy chief”, in Mumbai Mirror, India, retrieved 1 March 2014:

     [A] series of mishaps including the sinking of INS Sindhurakshak in August last year has put him under a cloud.

Translations

under suspicion

• Finnish: epäilty (fi), luupin alla (fi)
• Russian: под колпако́м (ru) (pod kolpakóm, literally “under a cap”)

See also

• under the spotlight
• in the spotlight
• under the microscope