taking a cold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking a cold" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
If you meant to refer to catching a cold, you can use it when discussing illness or health-related topics. Example: "After being out in the rain without a jacket, I ended up taking a cold."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

It's like taking a cold remedy.

The New York Times - Health

We bring them in here to see them and it's always like taking a cold shower.

The Guardian - Film

American players may also be taking a cold view of Greece's finances, even allowing for the rescue package.

The New York Times

One woman found she could stop an attack by taking a cold shower or swimming in cold water.

The New York Times - Science

Taking a cold shower in the Pyongyang winter, when temperatures can fall to -20C, is not fun," Mr. Everard wrote in The Independent.

The New York Times

This advice may seem obvious, but we suggest taking a cold, hard look at how executives make it to the top in your organization.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

He takes a cold shower.

The New York Times

She also takes a cold look at his domestic life.

The New Yorker

I took a cold shower, I put my sweats on".

The Guardian - Sport

Lever took a cold bath most mornings and slept on a semi-open balcony.

The Economist

Refreshingly, the book takes a cold view of the Gospel of Judas.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to evaluating something objectively, use "taking a cold, hard look".

Common error

Many mistakenly use "taking a cold" when they mean "catching a cold" or "getting a cold". "Taking" typically implies a deliberate action, which is not applicable when describing becoming ill.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a cold" functions primarily as part of a verb phrase, though often used incorrectly to mean "catching a cold." Ludwig AI marks it as incorrect; however, it appears in various contexts, suggesting some level of acceptance despite the grammatical error. Alternatively is correctly used in idiom like taking a cold, hard look.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

26%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "taking a cold" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect when used to describe becoming ill. The correct alternatives are "catching a cold" or "getting a cold". As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is flawed. However, it is correctly used in contexts such as "taking a cold shower" or the idiom "taking a cold, hard look", which means evaluating something objectively. Therefore, context is crucial when interpreting this phrase. Despite its frequent usage, it's advisable to use the correct alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. News & Media outlets account for much of the observed usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catching a cold

This is the correct and most common phrase to describe becoming infected with a cold.

getting a cold

Similar to "catching a cold", this is a standard way to describe becoming ill with a cold.

coming down with a cold

This suggests the initial stages of developing a cold.

developing a cold

Implies a process of gradually getting sick.

contracting a cold

A more formal way of saying you have become infected.

succumbing to a cold

Suggests weakness or inability to resist the illness.

experiencing a cold

Focuses on the symptoms and the experience of having a cold.

enduring a cold

Emphasizes the suffering or duration of the cold.

suffering from a cold

Highlights the negative impact and discomfort of the cold.

battling a cold

Implies actively fighting against the cold and its symptoms.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say I have a cold?

The correct ways to say you have a cold are "catching a cold" or "getting a cold". The phrase "taking a cold" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "taking a cold" when referring to illness?

You can use alternatives like "catching a cold", "getting a cold", or "coming down with a cold depending on the context".

Is "taking a cold" ever correct?

The phrase "taking a cold" is generally incorrect when referring to illness. However, "taking a cold, hard look" is a correct idiom meaning to evaluate something objectively.

What's the difference between "taking a cold" and "catching a cold"?

"Taking a cold" is grammatically incorrect when referring to illness. The correct phrase is "catching a cold", which means becoming infected with a cold virus.