blue skies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blue skies" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe clear, sunny weather or metaphorically to indicate optimism and positivity. Example: "After the storm passed, we were greeted by blue skies." Alternative expressions include "clear skies" and "sunny skies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Blue skies, plenty of snow creaking below your skis.

Huffington Post

Clear blue skies are characteristic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Blue skies and 85 degrees.

The New York Times

Clear blue skies.

The Washington Post

Blue skies overhead.

The New Yorker

Blue skies; black clouds.

The Guardian

(See those beautiful blue skies?

Columbia University

Blue skies, golden sunshine, a gentle breeze.

Independent

The term "blue skies" was central.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Yuma's cobalt-blue skies are constantly dotted with aircraft.

The New York Times

The blue-skies imagery was appropriate.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "blue skies" to create a sense of optimism or to set a positive tone in your writing. It can be used both literally to describe the weather and metaphorically to represent a bright future.

Common error

Avoid using "blue skies" in overly sentimental or predictable contexts where it becomes a cliché. Instead, opt for more specific and nuanced descriptions to convey the desired feeling or imagery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blue skies" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used adjectivally to describe a state of clear, sunny weather or, metaphorically, a period of success or optimism. As Ludwig AI examples show, it can refer to literal weather conditions or future prospects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blue skies" is a very common noun phrase primarily used to describe good weather or to metaphorically represent optimism and positive prospects. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it can lean towards informal when used metaphorically. When aiming for formal or academic writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "favorable conditions" to avoid sounding clichéd.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear skies

Replaces "blue" with "clear", focusing on the absence of clouds rather than the color of the sky.

cloudless sky

Highlights the absence of clouds, directly related to the visual aspect of "blue skies".

azure skies

Replaces "blue" with "azure", using a more poetic term to describe the sky's color.

sunny weather

Shifts the focus from the sky to the overall sunny conditions.

fair weather

Implies pleasant and favorable weather conditions.

clear weather

Similar to "clear skies", emphasizing the absence of adverse weather.

bright skies

Focuses on the brightness and luminosity of the sky.

good times ahead

Represents a metaphorical shift to a positive future outlook, inspired by the pleasant weather.

positive outlook

Focuses on the optimistic and hopeful feeling associated with "blue skies".

optimistic future

Emphasizes the hopeful and bright prospects, similar to the feeling of a sunny day.

FAQs

How can I use "blue skies" in a sentence?

"Blue skies" can be used literally to describe the weather, as in, "We enjoyed a day of "clear blue skies" at the beach." It can also be used metaphorically, such as, "The company is hoping for "better times ahead" and "blue skies" after the restructuring.

What's the difference between "blue skies" and "clear skies"?

While both phrases describe good weather, "blue skies" specifically refers to a sky that is blue in color, implying sunshine and good visibility. "Clear skies" simply means that there are no clouds, but the sky might not necessarily be blue (e.g., at night).

What can I say instead of "blue skies" when referring to a positive outlook?

When using "blue skies" metaphorically, you can use alternatives such as "a bright future", "positive outlook", or "promising prospects" to convey a similar sense of optimism and hope.

Is it appropriate to use "blue skies" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "blue skies" might be considered too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. In those cases, it's often better to opt for a more neutral or sophisticated phrase, such as "favorable conditions" or "positive developments", depending on the intended meaning.