attack of a cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attack of a cold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the onset or sudden occurrence of cold symptoms, often implying a more severe or aggressive experience of the illness. Example: "After a long week of work, I was hit by an attack of a cold that left me feeling miserable for days."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a couple of weeks after she reported being attacked in the early hours of a cold January morning in 2009 that Layla Ibrahim, then 21, noticed a change in the attitude of the police.

The Guardian

In patients with uncomplicated malaria, the classical (but infrequently observed) malaria attack lasts 6 10 hours that consists of a cold stage (sensation of cold, shivering), a hot stage (fever, headaches, vomiting, and seizures in young children), and a sweating stage (sweats, return to normal temperature, tiredness) [ 7].

BioMed Research International

One woman found she could stop an attack by taking a cold shower or swimming in cold water.

The New York Times - Science

A winter attack of this nature, gives new meaning to the concept of a cold war.

Huffington Post

Douglas Frantz (NYT) RUSSIA: SIBERIAN OFFICIALS QUIT -- Under attack for their handling of a cold-weather fuel shortage, 11 of Primorsky Province's 12 deputy governors resigned after meeting an emissary from President Vladimir V. Putin.

The New York Times

Mud is adopted from the traditional roofing system for passive solar cooling and heating in comparison to other roofing materials so as to avoid the burning heat during daytime and prevent the attack of cold waves during winter.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

We take seats in the Veranda Cafe and attack a platter of cold cuts, cheeses and antipasti.

The Guardian - Travel

1840: Charles Pasley, who was involved in the recovery of the sunken warship HMS Royal George, commented that, of those having made frequent dives, "not a man escaped the repeated attacks of rheumatism and cold".

Wikipedia

In Raynaud's phenomenon, the vascular spasm is severe, affecting the extremities and leading to attacks of cold, white fingers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the beginning, her seizures sound like anxiety attacks: "A breath of cold metal, high in the back of her throat.

The New York Times - Books

Respondents were asked to rate how serious they thought it would be to contract a range of illnesses including a heart attack, common cold, a new strain of influenza, and SARS, and how likely they themselves and the average person would be to contract these diseases in the following year.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attack of a cold" to describe a sudden and severe onset of cold symptoms. It's suitable when the cold hits you quickly and intensely.

Common error

Avoid using "attack of a cold" for mild or gradual cold symptoms. It's best reserved for when the cold feels particularly aggressive or sudden.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attack of a cold" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms it's a proper phrase, even if examples are limited.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attack of a cold" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the sudden and intense onset of cold symptoms. While Ludwig AI validates its usability, the frequency of its occurrence is low. Ludwig's analysis suggests it's best employed when emphasizing the abrupt and aggressive nature of a cold's onset. It's important to avoid overusing the phrase for mild colds, as it's more fitting for severe cases. Consider alternatives such as "onset of a cold" or "bout of a cold" for different nuances. Use this phrase intentionally to convey the severity and suddenness of the experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Onset of a cold

Replaces "attack" with "onset", focusing on the beginning of the cold.

Bout of a cold

Substitutes "attack" with "bout", indicating a period of illness.

Sudden cold

Emphasizes the abruptness of the cold's appearance, removing the "attack" metaphor.

Severe cold

Focuses on the intensity of the cold rather than its onset.

A bad cold

Uses simpler language to describe a significant cold.

Cold coming on

Expresses the feeling of a cold starting.

Contracting a cold

Focuses on the act of getting the cold.

Catching a cold

Uses a more colloquial term for getting a cold.

Falling ill with a cold

Formal way of saying someone is getting a cold.

Developing a cold

Emphasizes the process of the cold's development.

FAQs

How to use "attack of a cold" in a sentence?

You can use "attack of a cold" to describe the sudden onset of cold symptoms. For example, "After a long week, I suffered an attack of a cold".

What can I say instead of "attack of a cold"?

You can use alternatives like "onset of a cold", "bout of a cold", or "sudden cold" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "attack of a cold" or "having a cold"?

"Attack of a cold" implies a sudden and severe onset, while "having a cold" is a general statement about experiencing cold symptoms. They aren't interchangeable.

What's the difference between "attack of a cold" and "common cold"?

"Common cold" refers to the illness itself, whereas "attack of a cold" describes the experience of suddenly being afflicted by the illness. The term is less about the ailment and more about the quick manner it affected the person.