a chilly reception

USAGE SUMMARY

"a chilly reception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a cold or unfriendly welcome. Example: The new intern received a chilly reception when he arrived at work on his first day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He got a chilly reception.

The New York Times

But they are getting a chilly reception from many drinkers.

The New York Times - Food

The request has gotten a chilly reception from some.

The New York Times

But the site, NiteFly, had a chilly reception.

The New York Times

He boarded a flight with the victim, and arrived in Alabama to a chilly reception.

The New York Times

[NY1] Anthony D. Weiner received a chilly reception at a campaign event in Queens on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Months after giving Facebook a chilly reception, investors are still skittish about new listings.

The New York Times

It would be easy to forecast a chilly reception in the team's temporary home.

The New York Times

Those demonstrations continued Thursday as Mr. Yanukovich arrived here to a chilly reception.

The New York Times

Child poverty charities and campaigners gave the draft strategy a chilly reception.

Independent

Republicans on Capitol Hill gave the president's proposal a chilly reception.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a chilly reception" to describe situations where someone or something is met with a lack of enthusiasm or outright disapproval. It's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Be mindful of the intensity you wish to convey. "A chilly reception" implies a lack of warmth, not necessarily outright aggression. If you mean active hostility, consider "a hostile reception" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a chilly reception" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb (e.g., received, got, met with). It describes the type of welcome or response someone or something receives. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable state in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a chilly reception" effectively communicates an unwelcoming or unenthusiastic response. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this noun phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in English writing, particularly in news and media contexts. It denotes a lack of warmth, and while not as severe as a hostile reception, implies disapproval or a lack of enthusiasm. To avoid misinterpretations, it's crucial to ensure the phrase aligns with the desired level of negativity. For conveying similar meanings, consider alternatives like "an unwelcoming greeting" or "a cold welcome", depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey. Ludwig's examples further illustrate the phrase's versatility and contextual relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cool reception

Synonymous, simply uses an alternative adjective.

a cold welcome

Uses "cold" instead of "chilly", maintaining a similar negative connotation.

a frosty reception

Uses "frosty" as a synonym for "chilly", implying coldness and unfriendliness.

an unfriendly response

Replaces "reception" with "response", emphasizing the lack of friendliness.

an inhospitable welcome

Highlights the lack of hospitality in the greeting.

an unwelcoming greeting

Focuses on the greeting aspect, implying lack of warmth.

a lukewarm reception

Suggests a lack of enthusiasm or excitement.

a negative response

Focuses on the adverse reaction, less specific about the manner of greeting.

a hostile greeting

Conveys a more intense level of negativity than "chilly".

an indifferent greeting

Emphasizes lack of interest or enthusiasm rather than outright hostility.

FAQs

What does it mean to receive "a chilly reception"?

Receiving "a chilly reception" means being greeted or welcomed in an unfriendly, unwelcoming, or unenthusiastic manner. It suggests a lack of warmth or approval.

What can I say instead of "a chilly reception"?

You can use alternatives like "an unwelcoming greeting", "a cold welcome", or "an unfriendly response" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a chilly reception" in formal writing?

Yes, "a chilly reception" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a well-understood idiom that can effectively convey a sense of disapproval or lack of enthusiasm.

How is "a chilly reception" different from "a hostile reception"?

"A chilly reception" implies a lack of warmth or enthusiasm, whereas "a hostile reception" suggests outright animosity or aggression. The latter is a stronger, more negative reaction.