bruised sky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bruised sky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sky that appears dark, ominous, or marked by storm clouds, often evoking a sense of foreboding or melancholy. Example: "As the storm approached, the sun disappeared behind a bruised sky, casting an eerie shadow over the landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The wind was gusting and icy raindrops had just begun to fall from a bruised sky when Scott Pfaffman, an artist, stuck his head inside the window of Stop 1 deli, "Do you have a dime bag?" he joked, before buying a Gatorade.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There is a heavy coating of soot and dirt and poor Victorian housing, an agglomeration of bad dentistry, royalist fervor, and bruised skies.

The New Yorker

Fusedale valley lay under a bruising sky and we set a good pace up its rapidly inclining side.

Independent

The enormous sky, bruised and swollen with rain, growing blacker by the minute.

The Guardian - Travel

As the sky bruised, the temperature dropped to freezing and frost filigreed the tent.

BBC

My skin would later grow cold and clammy as the salty sweat evaporated; as the sun set lower, and the sky bruised purple and shades of citrus fruit.

Huffington Post

It's a game that casts you not only as a mechanic, though, but also as a daredevil pilot, one who loop-the-loops through a sunset-bruised sky, firing down his sights at whichever baron has streaked across his flight path.

The New Yorker

It was mid-afternoon in August but the floodlights at Goodison were already burning full on as the rain belted down from a sky as bruised as some of the players would be an hour and a half later.

Independent

By 4pm at Lord's the skies had bruised, the floodlights were on, Tim Southee had the new ball and England's lead in their second innings was 134 runs with six wickets in hand.

The Guardian - Sport

Four days later, the sky was as bruised and gray as the mood inside the school, where misty-eyed teachers offered final words of encouragement and praise, while movers hauled filing cabinets downstairs.

The New York Times

I say the sun was rising but what was really happening was the sky turning from bruised to beige, as another day in paradise broke.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bruised sky" to create a vivid and evocative image of a sky that appears dark, stormy, or threatening. It's particularly effective in descriptive writing where you want to convey a sense of foreboding or tension.

Common error

Avoid using "bruised sky" in contexts where a simpler description like "cloudy sky" would suffice. The phrase works best when you want to evoke a specific mood or atmosphere, not just state the weather condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bruised sky" primarily functions as a descriptive element, often an adjective and noun combination, used to paint a vivid picture of the sky's appearance. It modifies the noun "sky" with the adjective "bruised," conveying a sense of darkness, potential storminess, or emotional unease, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bruised sky" is a descriptive phrase used to depict a dark, stormy, or threatening sky. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media contexts. While not overly formal, it adds emotional depth to writing and should be used judiciously to avoid cliché. Consider alternatives like "ominous sky" or "darkening sky" for varied impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ominous sky

Replaces "bruised" with a more direct adjective indicating a threatening atmosphere.

threatening sky

Similar to "ominous sky", but emphasizes the potential for danger.

menacing sky

Highlights the threatening and dangerous aspect of the sky.

darkening sky

Focuses on the action of the sky becoming darker, suggesting a change in weather.

leadened sky

Evokes a sense of heaviness and dullness, similar to the color of lead.

angry sky

Personifies the sky as being angry, a more intense emotional depiction.

stormy sky

Directly indicates the presence of a storm, losing the metaphorical sense of "bruised".

heavy sky

Describes the sky as being weighted down, either with clouds or impending rain.

gloomy sky

Emphasizes the dull and depressing atmosphere created by the sky.

overcast sky

A more neutral description of a sky covered in clouds, lacking the negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "bruised sky" in a sentence?

You can use "bruised sky" to describe a sky that looks dark and stormy. For example, "As the storm approached, a "bruised sky" loomed overhead, signaling the impending downpour."

What can I say instead of "bruised sky"?

You can use alternatives like "ominous sky", "darkening sky", or "stormy sky" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "bruised sky" a cliché?

While "bruised sky" is a relatively common phrase, it's not necessarily a cliché if used thoughtfully and in a context where it effectively conveys the desired mood or atmosphere. Overuse or reliance on it in every stormy scene, however, might make it seem less impactful.

What imagery does "bruised sky" evoke?

"Bruised sky" evokes imagery of a sky that is dark, potentially stormy, and perhaps even wounded or vulnerable. The term "bruised" suggests a sky that has been affected by some force, creating a sense of unease or foreboding.