war cloud

American  

noun

1. something that threatens war; a harbinger of conflict.

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Etymology

Origin of war cloud

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

With war clouds looming, her uncle advised her to ration it and savour every morsel.

From BBC

Camus, who played an active role in the French Resistance, began writing it in 1938, as war clouds gathered over Europe.

From Los Angeles Times

In some papers, after all, reports on the reaction to Welles's performance were set right next to news of war clouds brewing in Europe and Asia.

From Salon

But true believers like Elizabeth held on, ready to fight for the communist cause as the war clouds gathered.

From Literature

The fight over the Pentagon’s $10 billion “war cloud” is now about much more than data.

From Washington Times