On cloud nine means extremely happy. It describes great joy after a big event: an engagement, getting into university, a win or long-awaited news. The idiom is informal; it fits IELTS Speaking, but in an essay use delighted or extremely happy instead.
When would you say on cloud nine?
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be + on cloud nine; be on cloud nine + after/since + event
- Ever since she got engaged, my sister has been on cloud nine.
- The whole team was on cloud nine after we won the regional competition.
- I was on cloud nine for days after my first article was published.
What changed
First versionWhen I got my visa, I was on the seventh sky.
RevisionWhen I got my visa, I was on cloud nine.
On the seventh sky is not an English expression. The closest idiom is on cloud nine. There is also in seventh heaven, but it uses in and heaven, not on and sky. Only the incorrect phrase was replaced.
On cloud nine and over the moon are near synonyms: both mean very happy. Over the moon is more typical of British English, while on cloud nine is common in both British and American English. Compared with plain happy, the difference is strength: I'm happy with my haircut, but I was on cloud nine when I got the scholarship.
Your turn
Maria has just found out that her first novel will be published next year, and she's ___.
Show the answer
on cloud nine — Finding out that her first novel will be published is huge news for Maria, so she is on cloud nine. Down in the dumps means sad and low, which does not go with news like this.
Think of a day when you were extremely happy. Say what happened and how you celebrated.
I was on cloud nine the day I passed my driving test, so I took my parents out for pizza that evening.
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