cloud of chaos

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cloud of chaos" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or environment that is disorganized, tumultuous, or filled with confusion. Example: "As the deadline approached, the office became a cloud of chaos, with papers flying and people rushing around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Since a central theme of Miss Fortune is the big part accident and chance play in life, I wanted to write a role for Fate, who emerges from the shadows whenever events take a downward or upward turn, accompanied by his own personal cloud of chaos.

The Guardian - Music

When they next meet, Snow reveals his intention to absorb a massive cloud of Chaos at the center of Yusnaan's palace, transform into a Cie'th and have Lightning kill him as a punishment for his failure.

Wikipedia

She leaned in to help me pick up the polish, she seemed nervous, perhaps frightened by the cloud of chaos that surrounds my children and me as we move about the town.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

So, to see the mushroom clouds of chaos and disorder erupting all around them, and to stand before us with straight faces on a daily basis and tell us nothing's wrong, is simply mind-boggling.

Huffington Post

The problem is that every single NFL game -- the ones I have watched, anyway -- now plays itself out amid a free-floating cloud of constant chaos and menace.

Huffington Post

Russia and eastern Europe, under the clouds of political chaos and war, have languished.

Forbes

Prominent characters in these reports include warriors of Cosmos Terra, Cloud and Tidus who fight for the side of Chaos during the twelfth cycle, and Chaos' warrior Jecht, who appears on the side of Cosmos, with the reports detailing how these characters came to switch sides.

Wikipedia

"Since I resigned my position as chief financial officer of Lehman Brothers in 2008, amid mounting chaos and a cloud of public humiliation only months before the company went bankrupt, I have had ample time to reflect on the decisions I made in balancing (or failing to balance) my job with the rest of my life," Ms. Callan writes.

The New York Times

Since I resigned my position as chief financial officer of Lehman Brothers in 2008, amid mounting chaos and a cloud of public humiliation only months before the company went bankrupt, I have had ample time to reflect on the decisions I made in balancing (or failing to balance) my job with the rest of my life.

The New York Times

Along with the entire cast, Cloud reappears in the prequel Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy as a Warrior of Chaos.

Wikipedia

Football players use Nike's Vapor Strobe goggles, which periodically cloud for tenth-of-a-second intervals, in order to train their eyes to focus even in the middle of chaos.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cloud of chaos" to vividly depict situations characterized by extreme disorganization, confusion, and a lack of clear direction or control. For example, "The project meeting devolved into a cloud of chaos as conflicting ideas clashed and no decisions were made."

Common error

Avoid using "cloud of chaos" to describe situations that are merely disorganized or slightly confusing. This phrase implies a significant level of disruption and disorder, not just minor inconvenience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cloud of chaos" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It vividly describes a state or situation characterized by extreme disorganization and disorder. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cloud of chaos" effectively conveys intense disarray and confusion. While grammatically sound and usable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears relatively infrequently in diverse texts. Its function is primarily descriptive, aiming to paint a vivid picture of disorder. Predominantly found in News & Media, its register remains fairly neutral. When employing this phrase, ensure the context warrants such a dramatic depiction and avoid overusing it for merely disorganized situations. Alternatives like "maelstrom of disorder" or "vortex of pandemonium" can provide nuanced expressions of similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maelstrom of disorder

Replaces "cloud" with "maelstrom" to suggest a more turbulent and overwhelming chaos.

vortex of pandemonium

Uses "vortex" instead of "cloud" to imply a swirling, inescapable chaos, and "pandemonium" for heightened disorder.

atmosphere of turmoil

Substitutes "cloud" with "atmosphere" to describe the overall feeling, and replaces "chaos" with "turmoil" to emphasize the unrest.

sea of disarray

Uses "sea" instead of "cloud" to suggest a widespread and overwhelming chaos, and "disarray" as a synonym.

state of bedlam

Replaces "cloud of chaos" with "state of bedlam" for a concise expression of extreme confusion and noise.

whirlwind of confusion

Employs "whirlwind" instead of "cloud" to depict a rapidly moving and confusing chaos.

environment of disorder

Uses "environment" instead of "cloud" to refer to the surrounding conditions, with "disorder" as a synonym for "chaos".

tempest of anarchy

Substitutes "cloud" with "tempest" to indicate a violent disturbance, and "anarchy" to specify a lack of control and order.

mass of confusion

Replacing "cloud" with "mass" indicate a big amount of confusion, but keeps the term almost untouched.

outbreak of mayhem

Replaces the phrase with "outbreak of mayhem", suggesting a sudden and disruptive burst of chaotic activity.

FAQs

How can I use "cloud of chaos" in a sentence?

You can use "cloud of chaos" to describe a situation or environment overwhelmed by confusion and disorganization. For instance, "The sudden system failure plunged the office into a "cloud of chaos"".

What phrases are similar to "cloud of chaos"?

Similar phrases include "maelstrom of disorder", "vortex of pandemonium", or "atmosphere of turmoil", all suggesting intense disarray and confusion.

Is "cloud of chaos" a formal or informal expression?

"Cloud of chaos" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in descriptive writing or narratives where vivid imagery is desired. It might be less appropriate in highly technical or business reports.

What's the difference between "cloud of chaos" and "state of confusion"?

"Cloud of chaos" implies a more active and disruptive state compared to "state of confusion". While confusion suggests uncertainty or lack of understanding, "cloud of chaos" suggests active disarray and a breakdown of order. "State of confusion" might describe someone's internal feeling, while "cloud of chaos" is generally an external environment.