cold hard figures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cold hard figures" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to objective, factual data or statistics, often in a context where emotions or opinions are set aside. Example: "When making business decisions, it's essential to rely on cold hard figures rather than just gut feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A player's record should be judged for what it was, in cold hard figures, across the length of the year.

Independent

Lest anyone be caught up by the cold, hard figures – shares opened at $16 [£11] and closed at $30 by the end of the day – Etsy went out of its way to remind us of its core values of craftsmanship, authenticity and the homespun.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You'll remember, then, those adverts for text services that calculated relationship compatibility and spat out a cold hard figure for you to base boyfriend-related decisions on.

Vice

You'll remember, then, those adverts for text services that calculated relationship compatibility and spat out a cold hard figure for you to base luv-related decisions on.

Vice

When you live in a country that has laws that discriminate and that target vulnerable populations like queer people and people of color and immigrants and people who may look and love differently than others, we need to take a cold, hard look in the mirror and figure out why we are a nation fueled by prejudice, whose policies only perpetuate that prejudice.

Harvard University

That figure beats Rodgers by nearly $9 million in cold hard cash.

Forbes

All these applications appeal to only a fraction of the users of the more popular social services, many of which are still trying to figure out how to turn all that attention into cold hard cash themselves.

TechCrunch

Cold, hard bitch?

Independent

Just the cold, hard facts.

The New York Times

Apparently cold, hard cash.

The Washington Post

In cold, hard cash.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cold hard figures", ensure the data is accurate and from a reliable source to maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid drawing conclusions from "cold hard figures" without proper context or statistical analysis, as this can lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold hard figures" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or the subject under discussion. It emphasizes the numerical or statistical nature of the information being presented. As Ludwig AI explains, it refers to objective and factual data.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cold hard figures" refers to objective and factual data, often used to minimize emotional bias in decision-making. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While various alternatives exist, like "objective statistics" or "factual data", "cold hard figures" provides a slightly more emphatic tone. When utilizing this phrase, ensure that the data is from reliable sources and interpreted correctly to avoid misinterpretations. Its strength lies in conveying impartial and verifiable information, steering away from subjectivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

objective statistics

Replaces the figurative language with more direct terminology.

unemotional data

Emphasizes the absence of emotional bias in the information.

concrete numbers

Highlights the tangible and measurable aspect of the data.

raw numbers

Focuses on the unprocessed and unfiltered state of the numerical data.

factual data

Replaces "figures" with a broader term for information, emphasizing accuracy.

hard facts

Shifts from numerical data to general facts, maintaining the emphasis on objectivity.

undeniable numbers

Stresses the irrefutable nature of the figures.

empirical evidence

Presents the figures as evidence-based information.

verified statistics

Highlights the confirmation and validation of the figures.

solid data

Indicates reliable and well-founded information.

FAQs

What does "cold hard figures" mean?

It refers to objective, factual data or statistics, often used when emotions or opinions are set aside.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "cold hard figures"?

It is appropriate when emphasizing objective data and minimizing emotional considerations in decision-making or analysis.

What can I say instead of "cold hard figures"?

You can use alternatives like "objective statistics", "factual data", or "hard facts" depending on the context.

Is "cold hard figures" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral, suitable for news reporting or business contexts, but potentially too informal for strict academic writing.