loom
loom large
To seem imminent and cause worry or unease. We all started working much faster once the deadline loomed large on the horizon.
See also: large, loom
loom out of (something)
To be or become visible by piercing or penetrating some thick, blanketing thing, such as fog, shadow, mist, etc. A huge hooded figure loomed out of the shadows, wielding a knife and demanding that we give him our wallets. The gigantic mountain looms out of the blanket of clouds like an ancient titan.
See also: loom, of, out
loom up
1. To become visible by or as by rising up from some point or source. The huge, imposing monument loomed up as we drove toward the city. A huge hooded figure loomed up from the shadows, wielding a knife and demanding that we give him our wallets.
2. To become nearer in time, causing dread or anxiety in the process. With the deadline looming up, I grew more and more panicked about what I was going to write.
3. To become more definite or probable, typically in a threatening way. With a government shutdown looming up, congress scrambled to pass a budget that satisfied both political parties' demands.
See also: loom, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
loom large (on the horizon)
Cliché to be of great importance, especially when referring to an upcoming problem, danger, or threat. The exams were looming large on the horizon. Eviction was looming large when the tenants could not pay their rent.
See also: large, loom
loom out of something
to appear to come out of or penetrate something. A truck suddenly loomed out of the fog and just missed hitting us. A tall building loomed out of the mists.
See also: loom, of, out
loom up
to appear to rise up [from somewhere]; to take form or definition, usually threatening to some degree. A great city loomed up in the distance. It looked threatening in the dusky light. A ghost loomed up, but we paid no attention, since it had to be a joke. The recession loomed up, and the stock market reacted.
See also: loom, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
loom large
Appear imminent in a threatening, magnified form. For example, The possibility of civil war loomed large on the horizon, or Martha wanted to take it easy for a week, but the bar exam loomed large. This term employs loom in the sense of "come into view," a usage dating from the late 1500s.
See also: large, loom
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
ˌloom ˈlarge
(of an important problem, event, etc.) approach and seem worrying or frightening: With the local elections looming large, the Conservative party is beginning to look nervous. In your last year of school, public exams loom very large in your mind.See also: large, loom
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- loom large
- spread far and wide
- hog leg
- battleship
- consume
- consume mass quantities
- by and large
- out in large numbers
- a good/great many
- large