under this pall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under this pall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to describe a situation that is overshadowed by gloom, sadness, or a heavy burden. Example: "The town remained quiet and somber, living under this pall of uncertainty after the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They don't want to live under this pall.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This pall over the market was in spite of the fact that Tiger's holdings are mainly New York Stock Exchange issues.

The New York Times

The event took place under the pall of Sept. 11.

The New York Times

Another victim, Victor Marcano, 38, had been struggling under the pall that Sept. 11 cast over New York.

The New York Times

Israelis provide the world with a model for maintaining normal life even under the pall of terror.

The New York Times

There is a horrible symmetry to the gun legislation debate taking place in the Senate under the pall cast by the Boston Marathon bombings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since Feb. 19, Britain has been under the pall of foot-and-mouth disease, or aftosa fever, as it's called in other parts of the world.

The New York Times - Magazine

A8 Hostage Hangs Over Blair The annual conference of the Labor Party of Prime Minister Tony Blair opened under the pall of the war in Iraq as the fate of a British hostage, Ken Bigley, remained uncertain.

The New York Times

Many have graduated into a severe economic recession, they were the guinea pigs of extraordinary technological change, and have spent their formative years living under the pall of terrorism.

The Guardian

A curious gesture to be thousands of times repeated, for under the pall there was no coffin, & the crown was a prop, standing for the true crown in Rose, but it was a means, half a world away, of bidding farewell to the great Pope in death, & it sufficed.

The New Yorker

Her first post declared some of the challenges she faced: Other fashion bloggers "do not trudge to work under the pall of 'appropriateness,'" she wrote.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "under this pall" to evoke a sense of heavy gloom or foreboding, particularly when describing situations affected by tragedy, scandal, or significant negative events. It adds a layer of somber depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "under this pall" in everyday, lighthearted situations. Its strong, negative connotation can sound overly dramatic or inappropriate if the context doesn't warrant such gravity.

Linguistic Context

Under this pall functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the condition or atmosphere surrounding an event or situation. It suggests a negative or oppressive environment. As seen in Ludwig, many examples are used to describe somber events, or bad news.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under this pall" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a situation or event overshadowed by gloom, sadness, or a heavy burden. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in news and media. While effective in conveying a somber atmosphere, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic in casual contexts. Alternatives like "beneath this cloud" or "under this shadow" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beneath this cloud

Replaces "pall" with "cloud", offering a more common and less dramatic image of something overshadowing a situation.

under this shadow

Substitutes "pall" with "shadow", creating a slightly less intense but still negative connotation.

under this gloom

Replaces "pall" with "gloom", directly indicating a state of darkness and depression.

under this weight

Shifts the metaphor to a burden, suggesting something heavy and oppressive.

under this burden

Similar to "under this weight", but emphasizes the responsibility or difficulty caused by something.

under this shroud

Employs "shroud" for a more somber and concealing effect, often associated with mourning or death.

under this oppression

Focuses on the feeling of being controlled or suppressed by something.

in this atmosphere

Describes a prevailing mood or environment, which could be negative or restrictive.

in this climate

Similar to "in this atmosphere", but often used in the context of social or political conditions.

overshadowed by this

Uses a verb-based construction to describe the state of being negatively influenced or dominated.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something is "under this pall"?

Saying something is "under this pall" means it's overshadowed by a feeling of gloom, sadness, or foreboding. It implies a negative influence affecting the situation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "under this pall"?

It's appropriate to use "under this pall" when describing situations affected by significant negative events, tragedies, or scandals that create a somber or oppressive atmosphere.

What are some alternatives to saying "under this pall"?

You can use alternatives like "beneath this cloud", "under this shadow", or "under this gloom" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "under this pall" formal or informal language?

"Under this pall" leans toward formal and literary language. It's more common in news reporting, opinion pieces, and creative writing than in casual conversation.