hang over

present singular third person hangs over · participle present hanging over · participle past hung over · past hung over

1. transitiveTo be threatening, to be imminent.

   A shadow of doubt hung over my academic future.

   2 more examples

   Now, cramped and outclassed as Euston has become, rebuilding hangs over it with an awful inevitability.

   1941 August, C. Hamilton Ellis, “The English Station”, in Railway Magazine, page 358

   There was, though, on that April day, a cloud hanging over what should have been an entirely optimistic story. London was deep in the first lockdown and the stations were all but empty.

   2021 January 13, Christian Wolmar, “Read all about London's Cathedrals of Steam”, in RAIL, issue 922, page 63

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hang, over.

   Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, of Imber, dressed all in black as usual, sits at the head of the table. A crumpled and well-used orange vest hangs over the back of his chair.

   2025 February 19, Paul Clifton, “I am absolutely committed to reforming the railway”, in RAIL, number 1029, page 39