grow cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow cold" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to gradually lose warmth or become colder. Example: As the sun began to set, the temperature outside started to grow cold.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

They grow cold, their skin droops, their hands stiffen.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Till the sands of the desert grow cold".

The New Yorker

Memories fade, leads dry up, trails grow cold.

The New York Times

He tends to grow cold and withhold emotion".

The New York Times

It's now Dec. 3, and the season is growing old as the days grow cold.

The New York Times - Sports

Often the tea and toast would grow cold before I could reach for them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

And vintners grow cold-climate wines in the Coal River Valley, just 20 minutes outside Hobart.

The New York Times - Travel

The concept of harnessing and directing the natural spring water to grow cold-water fish is a benefit resulting from the rare geological history of the land.

The New York Times - Sports

My hands grow colder hearing about this too-familiar tactic to discredit testimony.

Huffington Post

When Love Grows Cold, 1925.

Columbia University

Here the trail grows cold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grow cold" to describe a relationship, consider the context. It often suggests a gradual fading of affection or interest, rather than a sudden break. For example, "Over time, their marriage began to grow cold."

Common error

Avoid using "grow cold" when you mean an immediate change. This phrase implies a gradual process. For example, instead of "The coffee grew cold instantly", use "The coffee turned cold quickly" to indicate an immediate change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow cold" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, typically describing a gradual decrease in temperature, emotional warmth, or enthusiasm. Ludwig confirms its correct and common usage. Examples show it modifying nouns and clauses across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

12%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grow cold" is a versatile expression indicating a gradual decline in temperature, affection, or interest. As Ludwig confirms, the usage of "grow cold" is correct and very common across a variety of contexts, from describing physical changes to emotional states. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using "grow cold", consider the intended nuance of gradual change and choose it when you want to emphasize the slow fading of something over time, rather than a sudden shift. Remember to avoid using the expression when referring to immediate changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose warmth

Focuses on the disappearance of heat, either literally or figuratively.

turn cold

Suggests a change in temperature, emotion or attitude.

cool off

Implies a gradual decrease in temperature or enthusiasm.

become frigid

Emphasizes a more intense and sudden loss of warmth or affection.

lose interest

Specifically refers to a decline in enthusiasm or engagement.

wane in affection

Highlights a decrease in love or fondness.

become indifferent

Shifts the focus to a lack of interest or concern.

chill

A more informal and direct way of saying something is becoming cold.

freeze over

Indicates a complete cessation of warmth or activity, often with a negative connotation.

peter out

Describes a gradual decline and eventual disappearance of something, such as enthusiasm or energy.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow cold" to describe a gradual loss of warmth, affection, or interest. For example, "The tea will "grow cold" if you don't drink it now" or "Their relationship "began to grow cold" after years of distance".

What are some alternatives to "grow cold"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "become frigid", "turn cold", "lose warmth", or "cool off".

Is it appropriate to use "grow cold" in formal writing?

Yes, "grow cold" is appropriate for formal writing, though it's also common in informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the specific sentence and overall tone rather than the writing context.

What's the difference between "grow cold" and "become cold"?

"Grow cold" implies a gradual process, while "become cold" can suggest a more sudden change. For instance, "The soup "grew cold" as we talked" suggests a gradual cooling, while "The room "became cold" after the window broke" suggests a more immediate temperature drop.