Darkness is often used metaphorically in language to represent mystery, fear, the unknown, or even sadness. These idioms offer different ways to describe physical darkness, emotional struggles, or hidden truths.

1. A Shot in the Dark

Meaning: A guess with little chance of success.
Example: “I had no idea about the answer, so I took a shot in the dark.”
Tone: Uncertain, hopeful.
Other ways to say it: Wild guess, blind attempt.

2. In the Dark

Meaning: Unaware or uninformed.
Example: “We were kept in the dark about the changes at work.”
Tone: Mysterious, frustrating.
Other ways to say it: Clueless, uninformed.

3. The Dark Side

Meaning: The negative or evil aspect of something.
Example: “Power often has a dark side when misused.”
Tone: Dramatic, serious.
Other ways to say it: Evil side, shadowy aspect.

4. A Dark Horse

Meaning: A person who surprises others with unexpected abilities.
Example: “No one thought he’d win, but he was a dark horse in the race.”
Tone: Mysterious, intriguing.
Other ways to say it: Underdog, hidden talent.

5. As Dark as Midnight

Meaning: Extremely dark.
Example: “The cave was as dark as midnight.”
Tone: Descriptive, vivid.
Other ways to say it: Pitch-black, completely dark.

6. Walk into the Darkness

Meaning: Enter an unknown or dangerous situation.
Example: “Leaving her job without a backup plan felt like walking into the darkness.”
Tone: Serious, uncertain.
Other ways to say it: Take a risk, enter the unknown.

7. A Dark Cloud Hanging Over

Meaning: A feeling of worry or sadness.
Example: “Ever since the accident, there has been a dark cloud hanging over the family.”
Tone: Gloomy, serious.
Other ways to say it: Lingering sadness, heavy atmosphere.

8. Lights Out

Meaning: A complete end, often referring to unconsciousness or death.
Example: “One punch and it was lights out for him.”
Tone: Dramatic, informal.
Other ways to say it: Knocked out, game over.

9. A Dark Alley

Meaning: A dangerous or suspicious situation.
Example: “Getting involved with those criminals is like walking down a dark alley.”
Tone: Ominous, serious.
Other ways to say it: Risky situation, dangerous path.

10. Paint a Dark Picture

Meaning: To describe something negatively.
Example: “The report painted a dark picture of the economy.”
Tone: Serious, dramatic.
Other ways to say it: Show the downside, depict negatively.

11. Keep It in the Dark

Meaning: To keep something a secret.
Example: “They kept their relationship in the dark for months.”
Tone: Secretive, mysterious.
Other ways to say it: Hide, conceal.

12. Fear of the Dark

Meaning: Fear of the unknown.
Example: “He wouldn’t take the new job because of his fear of the dark.”
Tone: Anxious, uncertain.
Other ways to say it: Fear of uncertainty, fear of change.

13. Dark as a Dungeon

Meaning: Completely dark, with no light.
Example: “The basement was dark as a dungeon.”
Tone: Descriptive, eerie.
Other ways to say it: Pitch-black, extremely dark.

14. The Dark Before the Dawn

Meaning: A difficult period before things improve.
Example: “Don’t lose hope; it’s always darkest before the dawn.”
Tone: Encouraging, hopeful.
Other ways to say it: Tough times before success, struggle before relief.

15. A Dark Past

Meaning: A history with secrets or troubling events.
Example: “He never talks about his childhood; he has a dark past.”
Tone: Mysterious, serious.
Other ways to say it: Hidden history, troubled background.

16. Lost in the Darkness

Meaning: Confused or struggling emotionally.
Example: “After losing his job, he felt lost in the darkness.”
Tone: Emotional, serious.
Other ways to say it: Feeling hopeless, struggling.

17. A Dark Secret

Meaning: A hidden, often negative, truth.
Example: “The town had a dark secret that no one spoke about.”
Tone: Suspenseful, mysterious.
Other ways to say it: Hidden truth, deep secret.

18. Shadow of Darkness

Meaning: A lingering feeling of fear or negativity.
Example: “A shadow of darkness followed the town after the tragedy.”
Tone: Poetic, dramatic.
Other ways to say it: Ominous feeling, lasting sorrow.

19. The Dark Arts

Meaning: Evil or manipulative practices.
Example: “Some politicians seem to master the dark arts of persuasion.”
Tone: Mysterious, negative.
Other ways to say it: Trickery, deception.

20. Dark and Gloomy

Meaning: Sad or lacking hope.
Example: “The house felt dark and gloomy after she left.”
Tone: Depressing, serious.
Other ways to say it: Melancholy, bleak.

21. Hidden in the Shadows

Meaning: Kept secret or unnoticed.
Example: “The truth remained hidden in the shadows for years.”
Tone: Mysterious, suspenseful.
Other ways to say it: Concealed, out of sight.

22. The Darkest Hour

Meaning: The worst moment before things improve.
Example: “This may feel like the darkest hour, but things will get better.”
Tone: Encouraging, hopeful.
Other ways to say it: Lowest point, rock bottom.

23. A Dark Turn

Meaning: A situation that becomes worse or more serious.
Example: “The conversation took a dark turn when they mentioned the accident.”
Tone: Dramatic, serious.
Other ways to say it: Negative shift, bad change.

24. Cast a Shadow

Meaning: To bring sadness or negativity.
Example: “His actions cast a shadow over the celebration.”
Tone: Serious, poetic.
Other ways to say it: Ruin the mood, bring sorrow.

25. The Dark Side of the Moon

Meaning: Something unknown or unseen.
Example: “His personality has a dark side of the moon—things he never shares.”
Tone: Mysterious, poetic.
Other ways to say it: Hidden aspect, unknown side.

26. The Shadow Knows

Meaning: A mysterious force is aware of secrets.
Example: “No one saw him do it, but the shadow knows.”
Tone: Suspenseful, dramatic.
Other ways to say it: Someone is watching, secrets are known.

27. A Blackout Moment

Meaning: A moment of complete darkness or loss of memory.
Example: “I had a blackout moment during my speech and forgot everything.”
Tone: Serious, alarming.
Other ways to say it: Blank out, total forgetfulness.

28. Dark Shadows Looming

Meaning: A threatening or worrisome future.
Example: “With the company failing, dark shadows were looming over us.”
Tone: Dramatic, ominous.
Other ways to say it: A bleak future, upcoming trouble.

Conclusion

Darkness in idioms often represents uncertainty, mystery, or struggles, but it can also hint at hope, as even the darkest night has a dawn.