melting like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'melting like' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something melting very quickly, or describe a comparison of different things melting. Example: The ice cream was melting like snow in the summer sunshine.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

(I will note that these were stunningly good and I did almost nothing. That's just good-tasting leeks, I think, cooked until they're falling apart, and melting like butter).

The New York Times - Food

Drizzle the vegetables with a little cream in a casserole dish, sprinkle with bread crumbs and any grated cheese (especially one that's good for melting, like Gruyère), then pop the casserole dish under the broiler.

Huffington Post

The universe of buyable bonds is melting like snow".

Independent

Much better to let it melt away – "slowly melting like the frost under the morning sun".

The Guardian - Business

As he felt her mouth's engulfment, he acquiesced, disappointment melting like ice in hot cream.

The Guardian - Books

There is other melting, like mountain glaciers, but they are minor factors.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

His audience melted like snow.

The Guardian

Our veteran status melted like summer snow.

The New York Times - Travel

"Six Iraqi divisions melted like the snow," Barzani told me.

The New Yorker

His eyes melted like butter; his face oozed with lust.

The New Yorker

It melts like crazy and it's amazing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "melting like" to create vivid imagery by comparing a gradual transformation or disappearance to the physical act of melting. This simile is particularly effective when describing emotions, states of being, or physical objects undergoing change.

Common error

While "melting like" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and technical language to describe processes of change or transformation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "melting like" functions primarily as a simile, comparing a subject to the process of melting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and correct way to create a vivid image of something transforming or disappearing. It serves to illustrate the manner or speed in which something diminishes or changes its state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Books

12%

Food

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "melting like" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed simile. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability for describing a rapid or transformative change, with usage spanning a range of contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to add vividness and emphasis to descriptions. While versatile, caution should be exercised in extremely formal writing scenarios. It's used across well-known media sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. Consider alternative phrases like "dissolving like" or "vanishing like" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dissolving like

Focuses on the vanishing aspect, similar to dissolving in a liquid.

vanishing like

Emphasizes the complete disappearance of something.

fading like

Highlights the gradual loss of intensity or visibility.

evaporating like

Suggests a transition from liquid to gas, implying a quick disappearance.

disappearing like

General term for something ceasing to be visible.

waning like

Implies a decrease in power, intensity or extent.

subsiding like

Suggests a reduction in intensity, often used for emotions or feelings.

dwindling like

Focuses on the gradual reduction in size or amount.

softening like

Highlights the change in texture, becoming less rigid.

yielding like

Emphasizes the lack of resistance or the act of giving way under pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "melting like" in a sentence?

You can use "melting like" to compare something's transformation or disappearance to the process of melting. For example: "His resolve was "melting like" ice in the summer heat."

What can I say instead of "melting like"?

You can use alternatives like "dissolving like", "vanishing like", or "fading like" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "melting like" or "melting as"?

"Melting like" is generally the preferred construction when making a direct comparison using a simile. "Melting as" is less common and might sound awkward in most contexts.

What's the difference between "melting like" and "melting into"?

"Melting like" describes a similarity in the process of transformation, while "melting into" describes the process of becoming part of something else entirely. For example, "The butter was "melting like" ice" versus "The colors were melting into each other".