chilling look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chilling look" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a look someone is giving that conveys fear, uneasiness or dread. Example sentence: "The mobster's chilling look sent a chill down my spine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

He also takes a chilling look at the post-Hitler medical establishment's problematic relationship to the Nazi past.

Stanford University

The song that got them noticed – Wasting My Young Years – is a chilling look at the despondency of youth.

The Guardian - Music

A Times headline ran "CHILLING LOOK AT NEWTOWN KILLER, BUT NO 'WHY.' " Yet no "motive" can mitigate the horror of a bloodbath involving children.

The New Yorker

"This move may be providing a chilling look into the future if we allow media ownership to be consolidated into fewer and fewer hands," said Mr Hinchley.

The Guardian

The Yankees won the last game of that series, but the White Sox seemed to have provided a chilling look ahead to October.

The New York Times - Sports

So far, her efforts have succeeded only in giving the world a chilling look at an inhuman parent and a child's obsession with him.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Framed by a buoyant peek at the past and a chilling, defiant look toward the future, Brian B. Crowe's new adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry VI" trilogy wrestles this seldom-played, ungainly behemoth to what could best be described as a standoff.

The New York Times

For proof of gerrymandering's chilling effects, look no further than the way that the 12th – which over the years has been described as a serpentine, political pornography and nothing "natural on this planet" – has undercut the power of a single vote.

The Guardian

No sight is more chilling than looking into eyes you know so well and finding an immovable stare.

The Washington Post

(I wonder if any recently liberated Central or Eastern European artist could cope with the discouraging societal oppression of having such well publicized forums available in a major city). The basic argument that lack of Government financing constitutes censorship or even has a "chilling effect" looks increasingly bogus.

The New York Times - Arts

Police scuba divers did all they could to find the man, clawing through the bone-chilling waters, looking everywhere.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chilling look", ensure the context clearly establishes a sense of fear, dread, or intense unease to maximize the phrase's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "chilling look" when describing something merely surprising or unexpected; reserve it for situations genuinely evoking fear or apprehension to maintain its intended effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chilling look" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "chilling" modifies the noun "look". It describes the quality or characteristic of something that evokes fear or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chilling look" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to convey a sense of fear, dread, or intense unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used in English and frequently appears in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While alternatives like "frightening glimpse" or "terrifying vision" exist, "chilling look" effectively sets a tone of apprehension. When employing this phrase, ensure the context supports the intended sense of fear or unease to maximize its impact. Be mindful to reserve it for situations that genuinely evoke these feelings, as misuse in milder contexts can diminish its effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frightening glimpse

Replaces "chilling" with "frightening" and "look" with "glimpse", emphasizing the alarming nature of what's seen.

terrifying vision

Substitutes "chilling" with "terrifying" and "look" with "vision", highlighting the intense fear evoked.

alarming perspective

Replaces "chilling" with "alarming" and "look" with "perspective", focusing on a concerning viewpoint.

disturbing view

Substitutes "chilling" with "disturbing" and "look" with "view", emphasizing the unsettling nature of what is observed.

grim outlook

Replaces "chilling" with "grim" and "look" with "outlook", highlighting a pessimistic forecast.

dark depiction

Substitutes "chilling" with "dark" and "look" with "depiction", focusing on a somber representation.

bleak assessment

Replaces "chilling" with "bleak" and "look" with "assessment", emphasizing a hopeless evaluation.

ominous portrayal

Substitutes "chilling" with "ominous" and "look" with "portrayal", highlighting a foreboding representation.

unsettling observation

Replaces "chilling" with "unsettling" and "look" with "observation", focusing on a disquieting insight.

startling revelation

Substitutes "chilling" with "startling" and "look" with "revelation", highlighting a surprising and alarming disclosure.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "chilling look" in a sentence?

Use "chilling look" to describe something that evokes fear, dread, or deep unease. For instance, "The abandoned house offered a "chilling look" into the past."

What phrases can I use instead of "chilling look"?

You can use alternatives like "frightening glimpse", "terrifying vision", or "alarming perspective depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "chilling look" in formal writing?

Yes, "chilling look" is appropriate in formal writing when the context involves topics such as crime, history, or social commentary where a sense of dread or unease is relevant.

What's the difference between "chilling look" and "disturbing view"?

While both convey unease, ""chilling look"" often implies a sense of fear or dread, whereas "disturbing view" suggests something unsettling or morally questionable.