cold reception

USAGE SUMMARY

'cold reception' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone is given an unfriendly or indifferent welcome. For example, "The new employees were given a cold reception when they arrived at the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Administration officials have given the Bank of America plan a cold reception.

The New York Times

The chancellor will visit Chemnitz in November, but she is likely to face a cold reception.

The Guardian

Bengis chattered on, unaware of the cold reception her food was getting.

The New York Times - Magazine

A cold reception turned increasingly hostile, with murmurs and heckles of dissent.

The Guardian - Opinion

It received a cold reception on Wall Street, but was a best-seller.

The New York Times

Despite his cold reception, Clegg did show a sense of humour.

The Guardian

But Mr. Summers's proposal has received a cold reception on Capitol Hill.

The New York Times

But this strategy is already getting a cold reception in Delaware.

The New York Times

The developing countries were not alone in giving a cold reception to the idea of voluntary action.

The New York Times

While many Democrats may love her, Ms. Reno gets a cold reception among conservative Republicans and independents.

The New York Times

The novel I Love Dick was initially published in 1997 to a critically and commercially cold reception.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cold reception" to describe situations where someone or something is met with disapproval, disinterest, or hostility. For example, a new proposal might receive a "cold reception" from management.

Common error

Avoid using "cold reception" when you simply mean a lack of immediate enthusiasm. "Cold reception" implies a negative or hostile reaction, not just a lack of strong positive feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cold reception" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb. Ludwig examples illustrate its use to describe how a plan, person, or idea is received.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cold reception" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe an unwelcome or hostile response. Ludwig's examples show it's frequently found in News & Media. While grammatically correct, understanding the nuance is crucial; it implies more than just a lack of enthusiasm, signaling active disapproval. Therefore, be mindful when choosing this phrase, ensuring the context warrants its negative connotation. Using alternative phrases like "unenthusiastic welcome" may be more appropriate in some situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unenthusiastic welcome

Replaces "cold" with "unenthusiastic" implying a lack of excitement.

unfriendly greeting

Focuses on the negative aspect of the greeting being hostile.

lukewarm welcome

Uses "lukewarm" to suggest a mild lack of enthusiasm, rather than outright coldness.

hostile response

Emphasizes the antagonistic nature of the response.

negative feedback

Highlights the unfavorable aspect of the received comments or critique.

poor acceptance

Indicates a lack of general approval or adoption.

icy demeanor

Shifts from a specific event to an overall attitude or behavior.

distant treatment

Describes a lack of emotional closeness or warmth in interactions.

unreceptive attitude

Focuses on the lack of openness or willingness to consider something.

unwelcoming atmosphere

Shifts the focus to the overall environment rather than a specific greeting.

FAQs

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

You can use "cold reception" to describe situations where someone or something is met with disapproval or disinterest. For example, "The new policy received a "cold reception" from the employees".

What's an alternative to saying "cold reception"?

Alternatives include "unenthusiastic welcome", "unfriendly greeting", or "lukewarm welcome", depending on the specific context.

Is "cold reception" a formal or informal phrase?

"Cold reception" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although in very formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "unfavorable response".

What does it mean when something gets a "cold reception"?

It means it was not well-received. It suggests the person, idea, or thing was met with disapproval, indifference, or even hostility.