chilly reception

USAGE SUMMARY

"chilly reception" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where someone is met with indifference or hostility. For example, "The new manager received a chilly reception from the staff during her first meeting." Alternative expressions include "cold welcome" and "frosty reception."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He got a chilly reception.

The New York Times

But they are getting a chilly reception from many drinkers.

The New York Times - Food

The request has gotten a chilly reception from some.

The New York Times

But the site, NiteFly, had a chilly reception.

The New York Times

Back home, Mr. Suozzi has gotten an equally chilly reception.

The New York Times

He boarded a flight with the victim, and arrived in Alabama to a chilly reception.

The New York Times

[NY1] Anthony D. Weiner received a chilly reception at a campaign event in Queens on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Months after giving Facebook a chilly reception, investors are still skittish about new listings.

The New York Times

It would be easy to forecast a chilly reception in the team's temporary home.

The New York Times

Those demonstrations continued Thursday as Mr. Yanukovich arrived here to a chilly reception.

The New York Times

Child poverty charities and campaigners gave the draft strategy a chilly reception.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if "chilly reception" accurately reflects the situation. If the situation is more hostile, "frosty reception" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "chilly reception" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "wasn't well-received" or "didn't go over well" might be more suitable for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chilly reception" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb. It describes the manner in which someone or something is received, indicating a lack of enthusiasm or warmth. Ludwig examples demonstrate this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chilly reception" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes an unenthusiastic or unwelcoming response. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to convey disapproval or disappointment. While perfectly acceptable in formal writing, simpler alternatives may be more suitable for informal settings. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and provides numerous examples of its use in context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cool reception

Similar in meaning, suggesting a lack of enthusiasm but potentially less negative than "chilly".

unenthusiastic welcome

Replaces "reception" with "welcome" and uses "unenthusiastic" to describe the lack of warmth.

cold welcome

Uses "cold" as a synonym for "chilly", indicating a lack of warmth and friendliness.

frosty reception

Implies a more hostile or unfriendly atmosphere than "chilly".

lukewarm response

Suggests a mild lack of enthusiasm, indicating indifference rather than active dislike.

unfavorable reaction

Focuses on the negative aspect of the response, highlighting disapproval or disagreement.

hostile greeting

Emphasizes the antagonistic nature of the welcome, indicating open opposition or aggression.

negative response

A general term indicating a response that is unfavorable or disapproving.

poor feedback

Highlights the low quality or lack of positive comments received.

disapproving reaction

Clearly indicates that the response shows disapproval or disagreement.

FAQs

How to use "chilly reception" in a sentence?

You can use "chilly reception" to describe how someone or something was received. For example, "The new proposal received a "chilly reception" from the board of directors."

What can I say instead of "chilly reception"?

You can use alternatives like "cool reception", "cold welcome", or "unenthusiastic welcome" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "chilly reception" in formal writing?

Yes, "chilly reception" is suitable for formal writing, especially in news reports and business contexts. However, be mindful of the specific tone you want to convey, as it implies a lack of enthusiasm rather than outright hostility.

What's the difference between "chilly reception" and "hostile reception"?

"Chilly reception" implies a lack of warmth or enthusiasm, while "hostile reception" suggests open opposition or aggression. The latter is a much stronger and more negative term.