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Region: US | Usage example: They were on cloud nine after the engagement.

On cloud nine

Meaning

Extremely happy.

Usage

Describes joy.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Numerology and meteorological descriptions of blissful clouds.

Coined in American newspapers in the 1950s.

Related Idioms

The whole nine yards

Everything possible or available.

A stitch in time saves nine

Fixing small problems now prevents bigger ones later.

Every cloud has a silver lining

Find the positive in a bad situation.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.