cold as ice

USAGE SUMMARY

"cold as ice" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something or someone as very cold or lacking emotion. Example: "Her words were as cold as ice, cutting through the room with a sharpness that left everyone speechless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's cold as ice".

The New York Times

The weather's hot - or cold as ice.

The New Yorker

He is shaking and his skin is cold as ice.

The New Yorker

His goofy grin dissolves into a glower, his eyes turn cold as ice.

The New York Times - Sports

She comforts him, but her eyes are as cold as ice.

The New Yorker

They were looking at us and their eyes were as cold as ice," says Christina.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Some people are afraid of spiders; for others, of the cold-as-ice variety (only kidding), it's Ruby.

The New York Times

Yes, she surprised fans 21 years ago, when she lost the perky turn-the-world-on smile and transformed herself into the cold-as-ice suburban wife and mother in the film "Ordinary People".

The New York Times

Australia 19 October, UK and US 20 November Johnny Depp aims to make up for over-the-top, underwhelming disappointments such as Mortdecai and The Lone Ranger by hauling on a bald wig and inserting cold-as-ice contact lenses to play James Whiteyy" Bulger in a sprawling gangland saga that is aiming to be this generation's Goodfellas.

The Guardian - Film

Cold-as-ice Caroline, however, isn't phased about the proximity to her adversary.

Huffington Post

This cold-as-ice rejection recently blew up on Instagram, racking up over 30,000 likes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cold as ice" to vividly describe both physical coldness and emotional detachment. It's a strong idiom, but consider the context to ensure it's not an overused cliché.

Common error

Avoid using "cold as ice" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Overusing the idiom can make your writing sound predictable and uninspired. Instead, vary your descriptions with synonyms like "frosty" or "unfeeling" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold as ice" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its temperature or emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cold as ice" is a very common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to emphasize extreme coldness or a lack of emotion. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is widespread across different source types, especially in news and media. When writing, be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives like "ice-cold" or "unfeeling" for variety. The phrase functions effectively to vividly depict physical sensations and emotional states, making it a valuable tool in descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ice-cold

Single word alternative, implying literal coldness more directly.

icy

Similar to "ice-cold", but can also describe a person's demeanor.

freezing

General term for very low temperature, less idiomatic.

frosty

Suggests a cold, unfriendly demeanor or atmosphere.

frigid

Suggests both extreme cold and a lack of warmth or friendliness.

arctic

Evokes the extreme cold of polar regions.

emotionless

Directly states the absence of emotion.

glacial

Conveys slow, immense, and cold characteristics.

unfeeling

Focuses on the lack of emotion or empathy.

heartless

Implies a cruel and insensitive nature.

FAQs

How can I use "cold as ice" in a sentence?

You can use "cold as ice" to describe something that is literally very cold, such as "The water was as cold as ice". It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is unemotional or unfeeling, such as "Her stare was as cold as ice".

What is a similar phrase to "cold as ice"?

Similar phrases to "cold as ice" include "ice-cold", "frosty", or "unfeeling". These phrases can be used to describe something or someone lacking warmth or emotion.

Is it correct to say "as cold as ice"?

Yes, "cold as ice" is a grammatically correct and widely recognized idiom in English. It is commonly used to emphasize extreme coldness or a lack of emotion.

What's the difference between "cold as ice" and "icy"?

While both "cold as ice" and "icy" suggest coldness, "cold as ice" is typically used for emphasis, conveying a more extreme or vivid sense of coldness, either literally or figuratively. Icy can refer to a surface covered in ice or a person's demeanor, but it doesn't always carry the same intensity as "cold as ice".