has gone cold

USAGE SUMMARY

"has gone cold" is a commonly used phrase in written English and is grammatically correct.
It means that something was once warm or hot, but has now become cold. Example: I had left my coffee on the counter for too long and by the time I remembered to drink it, it had gone cold. Another example: The soup that I made for lunch has gone cold, so I'll have to reheat it before I eat.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Cooking

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

If the infused milk has gone cold, reheat it gently.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The case — once labeled the Polonium Trail — has gone cold.

The New York Times

Osama bin Laden's trail in Afghanistan has gone cold.

The New York Times

The trail has gone cold in the search for an escaped Arizona inmate and his fianc?

The New York Times

But, as a senior American official in Kabul says, "The trail has gone cold".

The Economist

The Obama administration's push to mend its relationship with business has gone cold.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Trails have gone cold.

The New York Times

The Tigers' bats had gone cold.

The New York Times - Sports

The case had gone cold.

The New Yorker

Financial markets have gone cold turkey.

The Guardian - Business

The trail could have gone cold.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has gone cold" to describe a situation or relationship, ensure the context clearly establishes a previous state of warmth, enthusiasm, or activity. This helps to emphasize the contrast and impact of the decline.

Common error

Avoid using "has gone cold" in contexts where a literal drop in temperature is expected, rather than a figurative loss of interest or momentum. For instance, saying "the sun has gone cold" would be inaccurate, as it implies something different from its intended purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has gone cold" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a change of state. According to Ludwig, it describes a situation where something has transitioned from a warmer or more active state to a colder or less active one. Examples show its use in both literal (temperature) and figurative (interest, momentum) contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has gone cold" is a versatile and commonly used expression that describes a decline or loss of warmth, enthusiasm, or momentum. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. While primarily functioning as a verb phrase to indicate a change of state, it can be employed both literally and figuratively. It is suitable for neutral registers, but it's important to choose it carefully when using it, avoiding misunderstandings, as it should imply a previous active or warm state. It is an apt choice for conveying a sense of something fading or losing its initial appeal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has cooled off

Implies a reduction in temperature or enthusiasm.

has lost its heat

Focuses specifically on the loss of thermal warmth.

has become lukewarm

Indicates a state of being neither hot nor cold, lacking enthusiasm.

has lost its appeal

Focuses on the reduction of attractiveness or desirability.

has lost momentum

Indicates a decrease in forward progress or drive.

has fizzled out

Implies a sudden and complete loss of energy or excitement.

has waned

Suggests a gradual decline in strength or intensity.

is no longer effective

Emphasizes the inefficacy or lack of success.

has become disinterested

Highlights a loss of interest or enthusiasm.

has stagnated

Suggests a lack of progress or development.

FAQs

How can I use "has gone cold" in a sentence?

You can use "has gone cold" to describe something that was once warm but is now cold, such as "My coffee "has gone cold"". It can also be used figuratively to describe a relationship or situation that has lost its initial enthusiasm or momentum.

What are some alternatives to "has gone cold"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "has cooled off", "has lost its heat", or "has lost momentum".

Is it appropriate to use "has gone cold" in formal writing?

Yes, "has gone cold" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when used figuratively. However, consider the specific context and audience. In some cases, a more precise or technical term might be preferable.

What does it mean when a case "has gone cold"?

When a case ""has gone cold"", it means that the investigation has stalled due to a lack of new leads or evidence. It implies that the trail has become difficult or impossible to follow.