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This saying encourages us to believe that in every difficult or unpleasant situation, there is always some advantage to it.

Like in this piece of news that says National Qualifications Framework will be used to qualify graduates' basic academic qualifications, which is something extra to their studies; but the good thing is this standard can increase their chance of employment. Even though the educational standard is tougher for the graduates there is some advantage to it.

When our company collapsed, there seemed to be no end to our problems but I believed that every cloud has a silver lining and kept fighting.

And you can be sure that once you are good enough to be employed, you will be on cloud number nine; very, very happy and excited.

Did you tell Keith about our trip to Germany? - Of course I did; and he was on cloud nine!

But "a cloud on the horizon" is nothing to be happy about; it refers to something that threatens to cause you problems or unhappiness in the future.

Jack needs three A's to graduate and for him this is a cloud on the horizon.

A similar expression "a cloud hanging over somebody" describes a future situation which makes someone unhappy or worried.

There are only two weeks left before the deadline and I still could not come up with any idea for the project; it is like a cloud hanging over me.

Have you ever met somebody who had their head in the clouds? Lucky you, if you haven't. Those people who have their head in the clouds are too engaged to their own ideals, hopes or ideas and not aware of the real situations or problems.

You should have known better. How could you rely on the advice of somebody who has his head in the clouds?

 

 

Complete the sentences with the expressions explained

1. My son finally found the guitar he has wanted for years; and he was …(on cloud nine).

2. My mother had a medical check up last week and having to wait for the lab result is like …(a cloud hanging over) her.

3. You can't have a conversation with James anymore. He always has …(his head in the clouds) and never listens to anybody.

4. The situation might be extremely unpleasant for us but don't give up; trust me, …(every cloud has a silver lining).

5. She is fit enough to fetch a gold medal but her knee injury could be …(a cloud on the horizon).

 

Answers: 1. on cloud nine, 2. a cloud hanging over, 3. his head in the clouds, 4. every cloud has a silver lining, 5. a cloud on the horizon

 

By Ajarn Parnsap Yomanage

nated@nationgroup.com