PhrasesHub

Gloom and doom

    Definitions

      • Negative outlook or prediction
        Expressing a pessimistic or bleak view of a situation or future events

      • Unpleasant or depressing atmosphere
        Describing a feeling of sadness or hopelessness, often in a specific location or situation such as a gloomy room or a doom and gloom news report

      • Exaggerated or unfounded negativity
        Criticizing someone for constantly focusing on the negative aspects of a situation and not seeing any potential for improvement or success

    Examples of Gloom and doom

    • The economists predicted gloom and doom for the stock market, warning investors to sell their shares and prepare for a major crash.

      This example illustrates the usage of the idiom "gloom and doom" to depict a situation with an overwhelmingly negative outlook or forecast, such as the prospect of a financial crisis affecting the stock market.

    • The weather forecast for the upcoming week is nothing but gloom and doom. There are no signs of sunshine, only rain and thunderstorms.

      This example shows how the idiom "gloom and doom" can be applied to weather forecasts as well, indicating a prolonged period of unpleasant weather conditions.

    • The company's CEO delivered a gloomy speech to the shareholders, warning them about the doom and gloom scenario facing the business due to increased competition and rising costs.

      In this example, the idiom "gloom and doom" is used to describe the CEO's pessimistic and alarming speech, which emphasized the serious difficulties and challenges that the company was facing.

    • The news coverage of the natural disaster was filled with tales of gloom and doom, with reports of devastated homes, loss of life, and widespread destruction.

      This example shows how the idiom "gloom and doom" can be used in news coverage, particularly when reporting on tragic and devastating events.

    • The economy is facing gloom and doom, with rising inflation, high unemployment rates, and a looming recession.

      This example demonstrates the usage of the idiom "gloom and doom" to describe a situation with an ominous outlook. The economy is facing multiple negative factors, such as inflation, unemployment, and a potential recession, all of which contribute to a somber and pessimistic outlook for the future.

    • After the disastrous launch of the new product, the company is bathed in gloom and doom, with shareholders calling for the CEO's resignation.

      Here, the idiom is used to describe the mood or sentiment surrounding the company after a failed product launch. The phrase "bathed in gloom and doom" implies that the company is experiencing a sense of despair and hopelessness due to negative events, such as the product failure and subsequent loss of confidence from investors.

    • The news report was filled with gloom and doom, with stories of natural disasters, violent crimes, and political unrest dominating the headlines.

      This example demonstrates the idiom's usage in the context of news reporting. The phrase "gloom and doom" suggests that the news is overwhelmingly negative and filled with stories of tragedy and distress, rather than positive or uplifting events.

    • The movie's plot was steeped in gloom and doom, with the main character grappling with personal demons and facing insurmountable obstacles.

      In this example, the idiom is used to describe the tone or mood of a fictional story. The movie's plot is characterized by a sense of despair and difficulty, as the main character struggles with personal issues and confronts various obstacles, leading to a dark and ominous atmosphere.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "gloom and doom" is commonly used to convey a negative outlook or prediction for a situation or future events. It can also describe an unpleasant or depressing atmosphere, as well as criticize someone for being excessively negative or pessimistic.

    Origin of "Gloom and doom"

    The origin of the idiom "gloom and doom" can be traced back to the early 20th century, with its first recorded use being in a 1918 issue of The New York Times. The phrase gained popularity during the Great Depression in the 1930s, when the economy was in a state of turmoil and people were facing difficult times. It was often used to describe the general feeling of hopelessness and despair during this period.

    The idiom may have also been influenced by the biblical phrase "gloom and darkness," which is used to describe a state of misery and suffering. Over time, "gloom and doom" became a common phrase to express any negative or pessimistic outlook, and it is still widely used today in various contexts.