a cold cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cold cold" is not standard in written English, but it can be used in a creative or poetic context.
You can use it to emphasize the intensity of coldness, perhaps in a descriptive or artistic manner. Example: "As I stepped outside, I was hit by a cold cold that made me shiver instantly."

News & Media

Arts

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

He predicted a cold, cold winter.

The Guardian

Or a cold, cold, cold, cold prickly?

The New Yorker

It's a cold, cold war indeed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was a cold, cold morning.

The New Yorker

A cold, cold winter on our high streets?

The Guardian

It was a cold, cold moment," Beckham adds.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Stella, cold, cold, the coldness of hell.

The New Yorker

One has Hank perched on a bar stool, under spotlight and massive cowboy hat, singing an a cappella version of 'Cold, Cold Heart'.

The Guardian - Film

They'll be a real hit this cold, cold winter.

The New York Times

And modern Paris, with all its faults, still has a place in my cold, cold heart.

Vice

He also pointed out that the song playing underneath the animation is Tony Bennett's cover of "Cold, Cold Heart" — a nice touch, because Bennett is supposedly a fan of the Doodles and wanted to get involved.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a cold cold" sparingly for emphasis in descriptive writing to evoke a strong sense of coldness. For example, "It was a cold cold morning, the kind that makes your breath visible."

Common error

Avoid using "a cold cold" in formal or professional contexts where a more concise and direct term like "frigid" or "icy" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cold cold" primarily functions as an adjective phrase used to intensify the description of something that is cold. This repetition amplifies the feeling of coldness. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not standard in written English, but it can be used in a creative or poetic context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Arts

13%

Lifestyle

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a cold cold" is used to intensify the sensation of coldness, often in descriptive or narrative contexts. While Ludwig AI notes that it's not considered standard English, its frequent appearance in news and media, as well as arts and lifestyle content, suggests it's an acceptable, albeit emphatic, way to convey extreme cold. When writing, consider the context and aim for a more concise and formal tone by considering other descriptive words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bitterly cold

Emphasizes the harshness and unpleasantness of the cold.

icy cold

Highlights the presence of ice and its associated coldness.

freezing cold

Focuses on the temperature being at or below freezing point.

bone-chilling

Describes the coldness penetrating deeply into the body.

frigid

A more formal term for extremely cold.

arctic

Relates the cold to the extreme conditions of the Arctic regions.

gelid

A literary term suggesting a frozen or icy coldness.

glacial

Implies a slow-moving, immense, and intensely cold state.

wintry

Connects the cold to the characteristics of winter.

frosty

Suggests a coldness that is sharp and biting, often associated with frost.

FAQs

How can I use "a cold cold" in a sentence?

You can use "a cold cold" to emphasize the intensity of the cold. For example, "It was "a cold cold" day, making it difficult to stay warm."

What phrases are similar to "a cold cold"?

Similar phrases include "bitterly cold", "icy cold", or "freezing cold". These alternatives can provide a more varied and descriptive way to convey coldness.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a cold cold"?

While not strictly incorrect, "a cold cold" is more of an emphatic or informal expression. In formal writing, it's preferable to use more standard adjectives to describe the cold.

What's the difference between "a cold cold day" and "a very cold day"?

"A cold cold day" emphasizes the extreme nature of the cold, whereas "a very cold day" is a more standard and less emphatic way to describe the temperature. The former is often used for stylistic or emotional impact.