loom large

Idioms  

1. Appear imminent in a threatening, magnified form. For example, The possibility of civil war loomed large on the horizon, or Martha wanted to take it easy for a week, but the bar exam loomed large. This term employs loom in the sense of “come into view,” a usage dating from the late 1500s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

loom large

“He’s going to loom large over these midterms,” Welker said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026

Welker, speaking early Sunday to a local NBC affiliate, said Trump would "loom large over these midterms."

From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026

But the midterm elections loom large, or even enormous, in any calculations about the future.

From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2026

There is little doubt that the Iran war will loom large over the Trump-Xi meeting.

From BBC ● May 11, 2026

Among other factors relevant to answering Yali’s question, cultural factors and influences of individual people loom large.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond