cold glare

USAGE SUMMARY

'cold glare' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is giving someone else a harsh or disapproving look. Example sentence: The boss gave his employee a cold glare as he entered the office late for the third time that week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"But after that, where do you go?" He proceeded to demonstrate the cold glare and contemptuous brushoff he uses on errant cooks.

The New York Times

Until then, I'm happy to watch the little basal rosettes, which I used to squash with my shoe as a child, growing under the cold glare of the kitchen window.

The New York Times

A pleasant woman at the Continental President's Club gave me a voucher for a hotel and a meal, and I felt like a vagrant as night pressed on through the cold glare of George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The New York Times

Master the "cold" glare.

WikiHow

If somebody replies rudely, and it doesn't fit the your Slytherin Style, you can just raise your brows and walk off or use a cold glare and talk over them with your friends.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In my neighborhood a lot of guys sag their pants, wear hoodies and walk with a distinct swagger and cold glares.

The New York Times

At that, she couldn't repress a stone-cold glare.

The New Yorker

His fox-fur coat keeps him toasty when he's seeking warmth in the vicinity of my icy-cold glare.

The New Yorker

It will be the cold, harsh glare by which we'll be able to see, for better or worse, who we really are.

The New York Times - Arts

Through most of Mr Hayman's evidence they were either rolling with laughter, or favouring him with a cold, sardonic glare.

The Guardian

Hedren, who is not an accomplished actress, is nonetheless an astonishing presence: she stares into the camera with a cold, defiant glare that seems to have brought the spurned Hitchcock a masochistic pleasure.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cold glare" to effectively convey a sense of disapproval, animosity, or emotional distance in your writing. It's a concise way to depict a character's negative feelings towards another.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "cold glare" as the sole descriptor for negative emotions. Vary your descriptions with other expressions or actions to prevent the writing from becoming monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold glare" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "cold" modifies the noun "glare". It describes a specific type of look or expression, often conveying negative emotions like anger, disapproval, or disdain. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and offers real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

24%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cold glare" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to depict a look of disapproval, animosity, or emotional detachment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile enough for various writing styles, though more prevalent in neutral to informal contexts like news and general writing. While precise and impactful, be mindful of overuse and explore alternative expressions to maintain vivid and engaging prose. The most frequent sources are The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hostile look

Directly indicates an antagonistic expression.

icy stare

Focuses on the intense, emotionless nature of the look.

steely gaze

Highlights the unwavering and determined aspect of the look.

hard stare

Focuses on the firm and unyielding quality of the gaze.

frosty look

Emphasizes the unwelcoming and unfriendly nature of the expression.

unfriendly gaze

Highlights that the look is not welcoming.

glaring daggers

Uses figurative language to describe a hostile and piercing look.

withering look

Suggests the look is intended to diminish or humiliate the recipient.

distant gaze

Implies the look is detached and aloof.

blank stare

Conveys a look devoid of emotion or understanding, potentially unsettling.

FAQs

How can I use "cold glare" in a sentence?

You can use "cold glare" to describe someone giving a harsh, unfriendly look. For example: "She shot him a cold glare when he interrupted her."

What's a similar phrase to "cold glare"?

Alternatives include "icy stare", "steely gaze", or "hostile look", all conveying a similar sense of disapproval or animosity.

What does "cold glare" imply about a character?

A "cold glare" suggests the character is feeling anger, disapproval, or disdain. It can also indicate emotional distance or a lack of empathy.

Is "cold glare" a formal or informal expression?

"Cold glare" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, but the context should match the level of emotional intensity implied by the phrase. In a formal context use with care.