Very gloomy-looking judge hoovering up line (5)

I believe the answer is:

bleak

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'very gloomy' is the definition.
'bleak' can be an answer for 'gloomy' (bleak means gloomy or sad). I am not certain of the 'very' bit.

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bleak that I've seen before include "''... House'' (Dickens)" , "Cold and raw" , "Bare, inhospitable" , "Cold and unwelcoming" , "Exposed to the elements" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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