a cold war between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cold war between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of tension or conflict between two parties, often without direct military action, typically in a political or ideological context. Example: "The two countries have been engaged in a cold war between their differing ideologies for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"This is a cold war, between us and Egypt".

The New York Times

"There's a cold war between Egypt and Qatar [which supports the Brotherhood]," he says.

Independent

This has led to a cold war between our two sides.

The New York Times

It was a slight that started a cold war between the stars that has tempered with time.

The New York Times - Sports

This brave new politics has given way to a cold war between the two sides.But it has not disappeared entirely.

The Economist

This rivalry resembles a Cold War, between two regional powers who vie for regional suzerainty, rather than a religious conflict.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Unbeknownst to us dimwitted bipeds, a cold war rages between our pets, as canine secret agents equipped with high-tech surveillance equipment try to prevent a dictatorial feline named Mr. Tinkles from taking over the world.

The New York Times

The film's ingenious premise is that, unbeknownst to us dimwitted, distracted bipeds, a cold war rages between our pets, with high-tech surveillance equipment and elaborate spy networks.

The New York Times

Tobey: There's been a cold war going between Iran and Saudi Arabia for a long period of time.

Vice

Wang also warned against a Cold War mentality between the U.S. and China.

Los Angeles Times

The federal government wants only a vigorous cold war between competitors even though this may mean a tacit mutual agreement that they will not exceed certain limits.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cold war between" when describing prolonged periods of tension and indirect conflict, especially in political, ideological, or economic contexts. Ensure the parties involved are clearly defined.

Common error

Avoid using "a cold war between" to describe minor disagreements or temporary disputes. The phrase implies a sustained and significant level of antagonism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cold war between" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, this idiom describes a state of prolonged tension or conflict, typically without direct military action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cold war between" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a state of prolonged tension and indirect conflict, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and academic contexts, it signifies a relationship characterized by hostility without direct military engagement. When using this phrase, it's crucial to accurately represent the sustained nature of the tension and avoid applying it to minor disagreements. Alternative phrases such as "a strained relationship between" or "a tense standoff between" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. The phrase is well-established and understood across a broad range of audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tense standoff between

Highlights a situation of deadlock and potential escalation, but without active engagement.

an undeclared hostility between

Highlights the lack of a formal declaration of conflict, despite the existence of hostile actions.

a strained relationship between

Focuses on the tension in the relationship, but less intense than a war.

a simmering conflict between

Suggests an underlying conflict that could erupt into open hostility.

a period of animosity between

Highlights the presence of hostility over a duration, without implying active conflict.

a silent battle between

Metaphorically expresses conflict, emphasizing a subtle or covert form of struggle.

a state of rivalry between

Emphasizes competition, potentially without overt aggression or hostility.

a power struggle between

Highlights that the essence of the conflict is over influence and control.

a climate of distrust between

Focuses on the lack of trust, which can be a precursor to conflict.

an ongoing feud between

Suggests a long-standing and bitter quarrel, often more personal than political.

FAQs

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

You can use "a cold war between" to describe ongoing tensions without direct military conflict. For example, "There's "a cold war between the two companies" over market share".

What's a good alternative to "a cold war between"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "a strained relationship between", "a rivalry between", or "a tense standoff between".

Is it appropriate to use "a cold war between" in a business context?

Yes, it's appropriate if there's a prolonged period of intense competition and strategic maneuvering, such as "There is "a cold war between the marketing and sales teams" over budget allocation".

What distinguishes "a cold war between" from a regular conflict?

"A cold war between" implies sustained tension and indirect conflict. Unlike a regular conflict, it typically avoids direct military confrontation, focusing instead on political, economic, and ideological battles.