PhrasesHub

Pitch black

    Definitions

      • darkness
        Describing a place or situation that is completely dark, with no light visible

      • intensity
        Describing a very dark color or shade, often used to emphasize the depth of darkness

    Examples of Pitch black

    • On a clear night, the sky transformed into pitch black as a dense cloud cover blanketed the horizon, blocking out every beam of light from the moon and stars.

      "Pitch black" is used to describe an environment that is devoid of any light or has no discernible source of illumination. In this instance, the phrase is applied to the sky during a thick cloud cover, which essentially prevents any incoming light from penetrating the atmosphere, making it pitch black.

    • As she entered the dimly lit room, she fumbled for the light switch, but it was pitch black. She was left with no other option but to feel her way around, moving slowly and cautiously in the darkness.

      "Pitch black" is used to describe a place that is utterly dark and without any light source present, making it difficult to navigate or move around. In this example, the phrase is used to emphasize the complete lack of visibility in the room, which is so intense that even the presence of light switches or other objects is insufficient to provide any discernible light.

    • As the power went out, the room instantly transformed into pitch black, leaving her in complete darkness with no means of understanding her surroundings.

      "Pitch black" is again applied in this instance to describe the intensity of darkness that follows an abrupt loss of power or light. The phrase is used to highlight the utter lack of light, which leaves a person completely blind and unable to distinguish one object from the other in the environment.

    • In the pitch black depths of the ocean, where light barely penetrates, life remains a mystery, and a new realm still waiting to be explored.

      Here, "pitch black" is used in a different context, and it refers to a place that is so dense and dark that it is almost impossible to penetrate with any source of light. This phrase is used to describe the deep sea, which is notorious for being one of the most visually limiting environments on earth, shrouded in almost complete darkness, and where a majority of life remains largely unknown and unseen.

    • The auditorium was pitch black when the lights suddenly went out during the concert.

      In this example, the idiom "pitch black" is used to describe the complete darkness in the auditorium. "Pitch black" means that there is no light at all, and everything is completely dark.

    • As I walked along the deserted street, I felt as if I were in pitch black surroundings with no sign of life around me.

      In this example, the idiom "pitch black" is being used figuratively to describe a feeling of utter isolation and darkness, in which the person feels utterly alone and disconnected from the world around them.

    • The basement of my old house used to be pitch black, and I used to feel a shiver running down my spine whenever I had to descend those dark steps.

      In this example, the idiom "pitch black" is used to describe the absolute darkness that the person experienced while descending the stairs into the basement. It's being used to intensify the feeling of apprehension and nervousness that the person felt while moving around in the dimly-lit basement.

    • The blackout curtains made the bedroom pitch black, blocking out any trace of light that might have crept into the room.

      In this example, the idiom "pitch black" is being used to describe the complete darkness that the curtains were able to generate in the room. Here, the curtains are being compared to a pitch black environment, to emphasize just how effective they were in keeping out the light.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "pitch black" is commonly used to describe darkness or an intense lack of light. It can be used to describe a place that is completely dark, with no light visible, or to emphasize the depth of darkness in a particular color or shade.

    Origin of "Pitch black"

    The origin of the idiom "pitch black" dates back to the 14th century, with "pitch" referring to a dark, sticky substance derived from tar. The term "pitch black" was originally used to describe the intense darkness of this substance. Over time, the idiom evolved to be used more broadly to describe any situation or place that is extremely dark. The use of "pitch black" to convey darkness has become a common and well-understood expression in the English language.

    Examples of the idiom can be found in literature and poetry, where it is used to create vivid imagery and convey a sense of foreboding or mystery. Overall, the origin of "pitch black" as an idiom reflects its longstanding use to convey the concept of deep darkness.