bitter frost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bitter frost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe extremely cold weather conditions that are harsh and unpleasant. Example: "The bitter frost settled over the landscape, turning the trees into icy sculptures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That place was cold and desolate, the very sound of the word – Auschwitz – seeming to contain a bitter frost.

The Guardian

~From Breena quoting her mother in Bitter Frost.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He gently urges on his great-grandson the hard wisdom of learning to accept life's bitter frosts along with its bounteous springs.

The New York Times

The world's longest ever Christmas cake, a 1,068 metre-long (3,504 foot) was a vanilla log, with a bitter chocolate frosting, as pastry chef Yusuf Yaran explained.

BBC

Mr. Harvey learned a bitter lesson when frost and rain wiped out most of his 2005 vintage.

The New York Times - Food

The thing started last night - a bitter cold night, with white frost - soon after dusk when the Germans started shouting 'Merry Christmas, Englishmen' to us.

Wikipedia

Bitter Fruit.

The Economist

By Frances Frost The New Yorker, September 27 , 1930 P. 33After a black-frost night, after the bitter View Article By Jelani Cobb By Joan Acocella By David Remnick By Jia Tolentino.

The New Yorker

The frost is on the windshield, the bitter north wind is wrestling the last leaves from the trees, and your extended winter stay is set, whether it's near the ski slopes of Colorado or the golf courses of Florida.

The New York Times - Travel

Your columnist experienced such a moment on a bitter-cold recent day in Dundee, with an inch of frost underfoot, alongside Jim Murphy.

The Economist

After bitter nights and a steady hard wind these past few days, the panes in my office windows have been covered with frost.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bitter frost" to vividly describe weather conditions, particularly when emphasizing the harshness and unpleasantness of the cold. For example, "The bitter frost settled over the fields, creating a stark, desolate landscape."

Common error

Avoid using "bitter frost" too liberally in metaphorical contexts where the literal meaning of coldness doesn't directly apply. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bitter frost" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. The adjective "bitter" modifies the noun "frost", emphasizing its unpleasant and harsh qualities. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows examples of it describing cold weather and desolate places.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bitter frost" is a descriptive noun phrase used to vividly portray harsh and unpleasant cold conditions. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct, though relatively rare. Its primary function is to evoke a strong sense of coldness and discomfort. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in metaphorical contexts. Consider alternatives like "harsh frost" or "biting frost" for slight variations in emphasis. Predominantly, this phrase appears in news and media contexts, effectively conveying the severity of winter weather.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harsh frost

Replaces "bitter" with "harsh", emphasizing the severity of the frost.

biting frost

Substitutes "bitter" with "biting", highlighting the sharp, penetrating quality of the cold.

severe frost

Uses "severe" instead of "bitter", focusing on the intensity of the frost.

intense frost

Replaces "bitter" with "intense", stressing the high degree of coldness.

piercing frost

Substitutes "bitter" with "piercing", emphasizing the penetrating effect of the cold.

acrimonious frost

Employs "acrimonious" instead of "bitter", adding a nuance of resentment or hostility to the cold.

cruel frost

Replaces "bitter" with "cruel", suggesting a painful or damaging cold.

killing frost

Substitutes "bitter" with "killing", emphasizing the destructive potential of the frost.

icy chill

Replaces the entire phrase with a similar concept emphasizing the cold sensation.

freezing misery

Conveys the idea of intensely cold and unpleasant conditions through a more metaphorical expression.

FAQs

How can I use "bitter frost" in a sentence?

You can use "bitter frost" to describe a scene or feeling, for example: "The "bitter frost" coated the window panes", or "A "bitter frost" had settled in her heart after the betrayal".

What's the difference between "bitter frost" and "harsh frost"?

While both "bitter frost" and "harsh frost" describe severe cold, "bitter" may imply a more penetrating and unpleasant cold, whereas "harsh" simply emphasizes the severity. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What are some alternatives to "bitter frost"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "biting frost", "severe frost", or "icy chill". These options offer slight variations in emphasis and descriptive quality.

Is it correct to use "bitter frost" to describe emotions?

Yes, "bitter frost" can be used metaphorically to describe emotions or experiences that are extremely unpleasant or harsh. For example, "A "bitter frost" of disappointment settled over him after the news".