grew chilly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew chilly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decrease in temperature or a shift to a colder atmosphere, often in a metaphorical sense as well. Example: "As the sun began to set, the air grew chilly, prompting us to grab our jackets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Chill Between Houses As events spun out, the atmosphere at Sotheby's and Christie's grew chilly.

The New York Times

Even as it grew chilly, the children refused to quit, and when I finally turned off the tap, the giant flower wilted along with the kids' spirits.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As the blustery day grew chillier, Tipper Gore, the vice president's wife, sent a vat of hot chocolate.

The New York Times

In 2014, the number was 62. Things grew chillier after that, with just 31, 26 and 27 companies getting out the window in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

TechCrunch

The night had grown chilly.

The New Yorker

The visit signaled a new warmth in Franco-American relations, which had grown chilly over the war in Iraq.

The New York Times

Carroll Creek, a narrow waterway bisecting downtown and lined with open-air cafes and a pedestrian park, adds a European flair: as the night air grows chilly, young couples snuggle along the creek over cups of coffee.

The New York Times - Travel

When your chilli plant start growing chillies, flowers will start to show.

WikiHow

It had grown chillier, and we stood indoors for the return trip on the boat.

The New Yorker

First Sat of the month 9am-4pm; Eastgate ShoppIV2 Precinvernessfarmersmarket.co.uk invernessfarmersmarket.Cupar Cupar Farmers' Market Arbroath smokies, wild game pies, home grown chillies, Scottish tablet and more.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It wasn't until a few summers ago when I built a poly tunnel was I able to successfully grow chillies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grew chilly" in writing, consider the context. It can refer to a literal temperature drop or a metaphorical cooling of relations or atmosphere. Ensure that the surrounding sentences provide enough context to clarify the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "grew chilly" when a more direct or specific phrase would be clearer. Overusing figurative language can make your writing seem vague or confusing. For instance, instead of saying "the meeting grew chilly", consider specifying "the meeting became tense" if tension is what you mean.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew chilly" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a change in state. This change can be literal, referring to a decrease in temperature, or figurative, describing a cooling in relations or atmosphere. Ludwig examples showcase both usages.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew chilly" is a versatile expression used to denote a transition towards a colder state, be it in temperature or atmosphere. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and predominantly appears in news and media contexts. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys a sense of change, making it suitable for both literal and figurative descriptions. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing by providing sufficient context when employing this phrase. The phrase can be replaced by synonyms like "became cold" or "turned cold", depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became cold

Simple substitution of 'grew' with 'became' and 'chilly' with 'cold', indicating a change in temperature.

turned cold

Similar to 'became cold', but with a slightly more sudden connotation.

became cooler

Synonymous, replacing 'chilly' with 'cooler' for a milder coldness.

cooled down

Implies a reduction in temperature, similar to "grew chilly".

got colder

Simple and direct way to express a decrease in temperature.

turned frosty

Suggests a metaphorical coldness, such as in relationships or atmospheres.

developed a chill

Emphasizes the process of becoming cold or unfriendly.

became unfriendly

Shifts the meaning from temperature to describing a relationship or atmosphere.

relations soured

Focuses on interpersonal or international relations becoming less friendly.

atmosphere deteriorated

Describes a decline in the general mood or environment.

FAQs

How can I use "grew chilly" in a sentence?

You can use "grew chilly" to describe a decrease in temperature, as in "The night air "grew chilly"." It can also describe a change in atmosphere, like "The atmosphere between the two companies "grew chilly" after the merger announcement."

What is a good alternative to "grew chilly" when referring to temperature?

Alternatives to "grew chilly" when referring to temperature include "became cold", "cooled down", or "turned colder". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "grew chilly" to describe relationships?

To describe relationships, you can use phrases like "became strained", "relations soured", or "became unfriendly" instead of "grew chilly". These alternatives directly address the change in the relationship's dynamic.

Is it correct to use "grew chilly" to describe a feeling or atmosphere?

Yes, using "grew chilly" to describe a feeling or atmosphere is correct. For example, "The room "grew chilly" as the argument escalated." However, ensure the context makes it clear you're using it figuratively and not literally.