On cloud nine

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase On cloud nine, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression On cloud nine used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "On cloud nine"

Meaning

The phrase “on cloud nine” is an idiom that is used to express a feeling of great happiness or elation. It is derived from the idea of being in the clouds, high off the ground and away from all of life’s worries, a place where people can escape to and feel joyful. A person who is “on cloud nine” is akin to being in a state of bliss.

Etymology

The phrase “on cloud nine” first appeared in the early 1900s, when one of the earliest mentions was in the novel Our Mr. Wrenn by Sinclair Lewis in 1914. It was initially used to describe someone who was in a state of ecstasy, so much so that they were in the clouds. This phrase may also have origins related to weather forecasting, as cloud nine is a layer of clouds in the atmosphere where temperatures are typically higher than other clouds. In the 1930s and 1940s, the phrase became widely used to describe a state of great joy and elation.

Usage

The phrase “on cloud nine” is typically used as an idiom to describe a feeling of great happiness or elation. The phrase is often used as an exclamation to emphasize the feeling of joy that someone is experiencing. It is usually used in informal conversation, as well as in journalistic writing.

Example Sentences

• I am so excited to see my friends again! I'm on cloud nine!
• After finding out she got her dream job, she was on cloud nine.
• The couple was happy as can be, on cloud nine after their wedding.

Idioms have a common language

"The early bird catches the worm" is an English idiom that means that those who wake up early and start their day early are more likely to succeed. A similar idiom in Spanish is "El que madruga, Dios le ayuda," which translates to "God helps those who rise early." This idiom emphasizes the importance of starting the day early in order to achieve success.