Idioms are evocative, figurative expressions that can infuse conversations about darkness with vivid imagery and emotional depth, transforming discussions about literal or metaphorical obscurity, fear, or uncertainty into compelling and relatable exchanges.
In this extensive listicle, we’ll explore 55 idioms related to darkness—encompassing physical darkness, emotional turmoil, secrecy, or the unknown—decoding their meanings and illustrating how they can add a shadowy allure to conversations about these enigmatic themes. So, step into the shadows, embrace the mystery, and let’s dive into this captivating collection of idioms to see how they can make your discussions as profound as a moonless night.
What is an Idiom for Darkness?
Idioms for darkness are figurative phrases that describe physical darkness, emotional or moral ambiguity, secrecy, or uncertainty, often using striking metaphors to capture the mood, atmosphere, or implications of these concepts.
These idioms make conversations about darkness more engaging and expressive, turning abstract notions of gloom or mystery into memorable expressions. Below, we explore each idiom, provide its meaning, and demonstrate its use with a long sentence to highlight its applicability in real-world scenarios.
Idioms for Darkness
1. In the Dark
Meaning: To be unaware or uninformed about something, as if shrouded in darkness.
In a Sentence: Despite her role as team leader, she was kept in the dark about the company’s restructuring plans, leaving her to navigate the uncertainty with a growing sense of unease as rumors swirled around her.
2. A Shot in the Dark
Meaning: A guess or attempt made with little information or hope of success.
In a Sentence: With no clues to guide him, his decision to invest in the obscure startup was a shot in the dark, a risky venture that surprisingly paid off, illuminating his path to financial success.
3. Dark Horse
Meaning: An unexpected or little-known contender who rises to prominence.
In a Sentence: Considered a dark horse in the literary competition, her haunting novel about a forgotten village emerged from obscurity to win the prestigious award, stunning critics and readers alike.
4. Pitch Black
Meaning: Complete darkness, with no visible light.
In a Sentence: Stranded in the cave after their flashlight failed, they were enveloped in pitch black darkness, the oppressive void heightening their fear as they groped for a way out, guided only by faint echoes.
5. Left in the Dark
Meaning: To be deliberately excluded from information or plans.
In a Sentence: When her colleagues finalized the project without her input, she felt left in the dark, the sting of exclusion casting a shadow over her trust in the team and prompting her to demand transparency.
6. Dark Days
Meaning: A period of hardship, sadness, or difficulty.
In a Sentence: After the factory closed, the town endured dark days, with families struggling to make ends meet, their collective hope dimmed by economic gloom until a new industry sparked a revival.
7. A Dark Cloud
Meaning: A source of gloom, worry, or impending trouble.
In a Sentence: The threat of layoffs hung like a dark cloud over the office, casting a pall of anxiety that dampened morale and made every meeting feel like a prelude to unwelcome news.
8. Cast a Shadow
Meaning: To create doubt, gloom, or a negative influence over something.
In a Sentence: His scandal cast a shadow over the charity’s reputation, dimming its once-bright mission and forcing the organization to work tirelessly to restore public trust in their noble cause.
9. Dark Side
Meaning: The negative, hidden, or morally questionable aspect of someone or something.
In a Sentence: Beneath her charming exterior lay a dark side, revealed when she sabotaged her rival’s project, a shadowy act that shocked her colleagues and tainted her professional legacy.
10. In the Shadows
Meaning: To operate secretly or remain unnoticed, often with hidden motives.
In a Sentence: The whistleblower worked in the shadows, gathering evidence of corporate misconduct, their covert efforts eventually exposing a scandal that brought justice to light and reshaped the industry.
11. Under a Cloud
Meaning: To be under suspicion or disrepute, as if overshadowed by doubt.
In a Sentence: After the accounting errors were discovered, the manager remained under a cloud, his once-sterling reputation darkened by whispers of negligence that lingered until he proved his innocence.
12. Dark as Night
Meaning: Extremely dark, either literally or metaphorically, evoking deep obscurity.
In a Sentence: The forest was dark as night, its dense canopy blocking all moonlight, creating an eerie atmosphere that tested the hikers’ courage as they navigated the unseen path with trembling steps.
13. Keep It in the Dark
Meaning: To keep something secret or hidden from others.
In a Sentence: She kept her novel’s plot in the dark, refusing to share details with even her closest friends, her secrecy building anticipation that made the book’s release a thrilling revelation.
14. A Dark Secret
Meaning: A hidden truth, often shameful or troubling, kept concealed.
In a Sentence: He carried a dark secret about his past, a burden that shadowed his every smile, until confessing to his family lifted the weight and brought a newfound light to his relationships.
15. Lights Out
Meaning: A state of complete darkness or the end of activity, often abruptly.
In a Sentence: When the power failed during the storm, it was lights out across the village, plunging homes into darkness and forcing families to huddle by candlelight, sharing stories to ease the eerie quiet.
16. Darken Someone’s Door
Meaning: To visit or appear, often with negative or unwelcome implications.
In a Sentence: After their bitter feud, she vowed he would never darken her door again, her resolve to keep his toxic presence out of her life casting a protective shadow over her newfound peace.
17. Dark and Stormy
Meaning: A moody, ominous atmosphere, often literal or emotional.
In a Sentence: The evening was dark and stormy, with thunder rumbling and shadows dancing across the old mansion, setting a foreboding tone for the mystery dinner that left guests on edge.
18. A Black Mood
Meaning: A state of deep depression, anger, or gloom.
In a Sentence: After losing the championship, he sank into a black mood, his usual optimism shrouded in darkness as he brooded silently, avoiding teammates who tried to lift his spirits.
19. Dark Waters
Meaning: A situation or emotion that is mysterious, dangerous, or troubled.
In a Sentence: Navigating the corporate takeover felt like wading through dark waters, each decision fraught with unseen risks that threatened to pull her under until she emerged with a hard-won victory.
20. The Darkest Hour
Meaning: The most difficult or hopeless moment, often before a turning point.
In a Sentence: In the darkest hour of her illness, when hope seemed lost, her family’s unwavering support shone through, guiding her toward recovery and illuminating the path to brighter days.
21. Shrouded in Darkness
Meaning: To be hidden, mysterious, or obscured, either literally or figuratively.
In a Sentence: The ancient ruins were shrouded in darkness, their secrets buried beneath centuries of shadow, enticing archaeologists who braved the gloom to uncover the lost civilization’s treasures.
22. A Shadow of Doubt
Meaning: A slight uncertainty or suspicion that darkens trust or clarity.
In a Sentence: His alibi left a shadow of doubt in the investigator’s mind, a nagging uncertainty that lingered like a dark veil, prompting deeper scrutiny into his role in the mysterious case.
23. Black as Coal
Meaning: Extremely dark, often used to describe intense darkness or negativity.
In a Sentence: The cellar was black as coal, its oppressive darkness swallowing every sound, making her heart race as she fumbled for the light switch, fearing what might lurk in the unseen corners.
24. Dark Before the Dawn
Meaning: The idea that things often seem worst just before improvement.
In a Sentence: As the startup teetered on the brink of collapse, she reminded her team that it’s always dark before the dawn, her optimism inspiring them to push through and secure a game-changing investor.
25. A Black Hole
Meaning: A situation or entity that consumes or obscures everything around it.
In a Sentence: The family’s grief after the tragedy was like a black hole, swallowing their joy and energy, until shared memories and support began to pierce the darkness, bringing glimmers of healing.
26. Cloaked in Darkness
Meaning: Hidden or concealed, often with a sense of mystery or secrecy.
In a Sentence: The rebel group operated cloaked in darkness, their clandestine meetings in shadowy alleys ensuring their plans remained hidden until they launched a surprise movement that changed the nation.
27. Dark Thoughts
Meaning: Negative, troubling, or pessimistic ideas or emotions.
In a Sentence: Plagued by dark thoughts after the rejection, she struggled to see her worth, but a mentor’s encouragement cast light on her talents, helping her reclaim her confidence and purpose.
28. Into the Abyss
Meaning: To enter a state of profound darkness, despair, or the unknown.
In a Sentence: After losing his job and home, he felt as though he was plunging into the abyss, a cavern of despair where hope seemed lost until a friend’s kindness pulled him back toward the light.
29. A Veil of Darkness
Meaning: A covering or atmosphere of obscurity, mystery, or gloom.
In a Sentence: A veil of darkness fell over the town after the factory shutdown, the economic gloom dampening spirits until a community festival reignited hope and lifted the oppressive mood.
30. Black as Pitch
Meaning: Utterly dark, with no light or clarity.
In a Sentence: The power outage left the theater black as pitch, the sudden darkness halting the performance and creating a tense silence broken only by the audience’s nervous whispers.
31. Dark Corners
Meaning: Hidden or secretive aspects of something, often troubling.
In a Sentence: The investigation uncovered dark corners of the organization, revealing unethical practices that had been concealed in the shadows, prompting a thorough overhaul to restore integrity.
32. Shadow of a Doubt
Meaning: Absolute certainty, with no trace of uncertainty.
In a Sentence: There was not a shadow of a doubt in her mind that the evidence was fabricated, her unwavering conviction driving her to challenge the verdict and expose the truth in a high-stakes trial.
33. Dark and Gloomy
Meaning: A depressing or foreboding atmosphere or mood.
In a Sentence: The abandoned mansion was dark and gloomy, its creaking floors and shadowed halls evoking a sense of dread that made visitors hesitate before crossing the threshold into its eerie silence.
34. A Black Mark
Meaning: A negative or damaging event that tarnishes reputation or record.
In a Sentence: The plagiarism scandal left a black mark on her academic career, casting a shadow over her achievements and requiring years of hard work to rebuild her credibility and trust.
35. Dark Shadows
Meaning: Lingering fears, doubts, or negative influences from the past.
In a Sentence: Haunted by dark shadows of his childhood trauma, he found solace in therapy, which helped him confront the past and step into a brighter future free from lingering fears.
36. Blind in the Dark
Meaning: To be completely unaware or lost, with no guidance or clarity.
In a Sentence: Navigating the new city without a map or phone, she felt blind in the dark, the unfamiliar streets cloaking her in confusion until a kind stranger offered directions and a warm smile.
37. Dark Undertones
Meaning: Subtle, negative, or ominous implications beneath the surface.
In a Sentence: The politician’s speech had dark undertones, its cheerful promises masking hints of division that unsettled listeners and sparked debates about the true intent behind her words.
38. A Black Outlook
Meaning: A pessimistic or hopeless perspective on a situation.
In a Sentence: Facing mounting debts, he adopted a black outlook, seeing no way out of his financial troubles until a mentor’s advice illuminated a path to recovery through careful planning.
39. Dark Depths
Meaning: Profound or hidden aspects of something, often troubling or complex.
In a Sentence: Her poetry plumbed the dark depths of human emotion, exploring themes of loss and despair with such raw honesty that readers were moved to confront their own hidden struggles.
40. Under Cover of Darkness
Meaning: To act secretly or stealthily, often at night or in hiding.
In a Sentence: The rebels moved under cover of darkness, slipping through the forest to deliver supplies, their covert mission shrouded in secrecy to avoid detection by the patrolling forces.
41. A Dark Patch
Meaning: A difficult or troubled period in life or a situation.
In a Sentence: The couple hit a dark patch after their business failed, their shared dreams dimmed by financial strain until mutual support and resilience guided them toward a brighter future.
42. Black Silence
Meaning: An oppressive or eerie absence of sound, often linked to darkness.
In a Sentence: As the storm cut the power, a black silence descended on the house, the absence of light and sound amplifying her unease as she waited for the world to stir back to life.
43. Dark Horse Candidate
Meaning: An unexpected or lesser-known person who emerges as a contender.
In a Sentence: The quiet intern proved to be a dark horse candidate for the promotion, her innovative ideas and tireless work ethic shining through the shadows to secure her the coveted role.
44. Fade to Black
Meaning: To end or disappear gradually, often with a sense of finality.
In a Sentence: As the festival concluded, the vibrant lights faded to black, leaving the town in quiet darkness, the memories of music and laughter lingering like stars in the attendees’ hearts.
45. A Dark Twist
Meaning: An unexpected, often negative or unsettling development.
In a Sentence: The novel took a dark twist when the hero betrayed his allies, a shocking turn that plunged the story into a shadowy realm of intrigue and kept readers gripped until the final page.
46. Black as Night
Meaning: Completely dark, often evoking a sense of mystery or fear.
In a Sentence: The ocean was black as night, its inky depths hiding secrets that unnerved the sailors, who whispered tales of lost ships as they navigated under a starless sky.
47. Dark Veil
Meaning: A metaphorical covering that obscures truth or clarity.
In a Sentence: A dark veil of misinformation clouded the investigation, obscuring the facts and delaying justice until persistent reporters pierced the shadows with undeniable evidence.
48. In a Dark Place
Meaning: To be in a state of emotional or mental distress.
In a Sentence: After her friend’s betrayal, she found herself in a dark place, her confidence shrouded in doubt until therapy and support helped her find the light to rebuild her self-worth.
49. Dark Recesses
Meaning: Hidden or obscure areas, often of the mind or a place, with negative connotations.
In a Sentence: The old library’s dark recesses held forgotten manuscripts, their dusty pages whispering secrets of a bygone era that intrigued scholars brave enough to explore the shadowed stacks.
50. A Black Spot
Meaning: A mark of shame, failure, or trouble associated with someone or something.
In a Sentence: The failed merger was a black spot on the company’s record, casting a shadow over its reputation and requiring years of strategic success to erase the stain of that dark moment.
51. Dark and Mysterious
Meaning: Enigmatic or intriguing, often with an alluring or unsettling quality.
In a Sentence: The stranger’s dark and mysterious aura captivated the room, his cryptic stories and shadowed gaze sparking curiosity and unease among the guests at the dimly lit gathering.
52. Plunge into Darkness
Meaning: To enter a state of chaos, despair, or literal darkness suddenly.
In a Sentence: When the grid failed, the city plunged into darkness, the sudden blackout casting a veil of uncertainty that tested the resilience of residents as they awaited the return of light.
53. A Dark Stain
Meaning: A lasting negative impact or blemish on reputation or history.
In a Sentence: The corruption scandal left a dark stain on the politician’s legacy, overshadowing his earlier achievements and serving as a cautionary tale for those navigating the murky waters of power.
54. Shadowy Figures
Meaning: Mysterious or secretive individuals operating in obscurity.
In a Sentence: Shadowy figures orchestrated the deal from behind closed doors, their hidden influence shaping the outcome in ways that left analysts scrambling to uncover the truth in the murky aftermath.
55. A Black Day
Meaning: A day marked by tragedy, failure, or significant misfortune.
In a Sentence: The factory explosion was a black day for the community, its devastating impact casting a long shadow of grief and loss that united residents in their resolve to rebuild and heal.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1: In the Dark
What does the idiom “In the dark” mean?
a) To be well-informed
b) To be unaware or uninformed
c) To be in bright light
d) To be optimistic
Quiz 2: Dark Horse
What is the meaning of “Dark horse”?
a) A well-known contender
b) An unexpected or little-known contender
c) A pessimistic person
d) A secretive plan
Quiz 3: Pitch Black
When something is “Pitch black,” what is it?
a) Slightly dim
b) Completely dark
c) Brightly lit
d) Moderately shadowy
Quiz 4: Cast a Shadow
What does “Cast a shadow” suggest?
a) To create positivity
b) To create doubt or gloom
c) To illuminate a situation
d) To resolve uncertainty
Quiz 5: Left in the Dark
What situation is described by “Left in the dark”?
a) Being fully informed
b) Being deliberately excluded from information
c) Being in a bright place
d) Being optimistic
Quiz 6: Dark Days
If someone refers to “Dark days,” what are they describing?
a) A joyful period
b) A period of hardship or sadness
c) A brightly lit time
d) A successful phase
Quiz 7: A Black Hole
What does “A black hole” imply?
a) A source of light
b) A situation that consumes everything
c) A positive influence
d) A clear path
Quiz 8: Dark Before the Dawn
What is the meaning of “Dark before the dawn”?
a) Things improve immediately
b) Things seem worst before improvement
c) Darkness is permanent
d) Hope is lost
Quiz 9: Under Cover of Darkness
When is it appropriate to say “Under cover of darkness”?
a) When acting openly
b) When acting secretly or stealthily
c) When celebrating
d) When resolving issues
Quiz 10: A Dark Secret
What does “A dark secret” suggest?
a) A widely known fact
b) A hidden, often shameful truth
c) A positive revelation
d) A public announcement
Answers:
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b
Conclusion
Idioms for darkness are like flickering candles in a shadowy room, illuminating conversations with evocative metaphors and profound imagery that capture the essence of mystery, uncertainty, or gloom. Whether you’re describing someone in the dark, a dark horse, or a black day, these 55 idioms offer a rich and expressive way to articulate the complexities of darkness, making your discussions as deep and intriguing as the night itself.