dark clouds
Literal dark, heavy clouds, often suggesting an approaching storm.
西の空に暗雲が立ちこめている。
Dark clouds are gathering in the western sky.
ominous signs; threatening clouds (figurative)
Figurative use for a situation where trouble or danger seems imminent; often appears in phrases like 暗雲が漂う or 暗雲が立ちこめる.
両国の関係に暗雲が漂い始めた。
Ominous clouds began to hang over the relations between the two countries.
経済の先行きに暗雲が立ちこめている。
Dark clouds are gathering over the economic outlook.
Ominous signs are hanging over relations between the two countries.
Dark clouds are spreading over the future of the negotiations.
The new agreement dispelled the dark clouds hanging between the two companies.