tough cold

USAGE SUMMARY

"tough cold" is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
A more appropriate phrase would be "severe cold" or "harsh cold." Example: "The winter in Alaska was known for its tough cold, with temperatures dropping to -40 degrees Celsius."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"There was a tough, cold winter.

The New York Times - Food

The lady of the house, Ms. Burkey had heard, was "tough, cold and devoted to the house above everything".

The New York Times

Her childhood in London's East End might have sounded picturesque, but, as she said, the reality was "tough, cold, damp, and austere".

The Guardian - Books

He is especially miserable during the five years, starting at age 7, spent in a "poor, tough, cold" boarding school in a Flemish village.

The New York Times - Arts

Before moving to Delaware to become city manager 2½ years ago, I worked as a city manager in northeast Ohio — a region known for tough, cold winters with lake effect snow and endless potholes.

The Washington Post

But I get the feeling that what most people mean or hear when they say or hear "strong female character" is female characters who are tough, cold, terse, taciturn and prone to scowling and not saying goodbye when they hang up the phone.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was known as a smash-mouth circuit, a place of tough, cold-weather defensive units.

The New York Times - Sports

The Lupin, a tough, cold-resistant plant, was introduced deliberately by the government from similar climes in Alaska 50 years ago to reverse erosion and add nitrogen to the soil.

The Guardian

"Ruth is tougher, colder, more analytical, possibly more aggressive … Barbara is more feminine … For a long time I have wanted Barbara to have a voice as well as Ruth.

The Guardian - Books

But it seemed more a re-enactment, even an allegory, of the past: a frontier 40 years old, still manned, but shrunk, on this wet night, by a tougher, colder climate.

The New York Times - Arts

Played with ferocious intensity by The Hurt Locker's Jeremy Renner, Cross is a tougher, colder character than Damon's scrupulous spook.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "tough cold", opt for more standard and grammatically sound alternatives like "severe cold" or "harsh cold" to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "tough cold" is a widely accepted phrase. While it may appear in some contexts, it's not considered standard English. Using it can detract from the professionalism and clarity of your writing. More appropriate and universally understood alternatives include "severe cold" or "harsh cold".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough cold" functions as a descriptive modifier, attempting to characterize the intensity or difficulty associated with cold weather. However, Ludwig AI notes that it's not a standard or grammatically correct construction in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tough cold" is not considered standard English. While it appears in some contexts, primarily in news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as a grammatically incorrect phrase and advises against its use in formal writing. More appropriate alternatives include "severe cold" or "harsh cold", which convey the intended meaning of intense or challenging cold conditions more effectively. Therefore, writers should favor these alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe cold

Replaces "tough" with a more standard adjective indicating intensity of cold.

harsh cold

Substitutes "tough" to convey the unpleasantness or severity of the cold.

bitter cold

Emphasizes the intensely unpleasant nature of the cold.

intense cold

Focuses on the high degree or strength of the cold.

extreme cold

Highlights the exceptional degree of coldness.

frigid temperatures

Replaces "cold" with a synonym and adds specification of temperature.

freezing weather

Describes the cold in terms of its effect on the environment.

challenging winter

Focuses on the overall difficulty presented by a cold winter season.

difficult conditions due to cold

Explains that cold conditions are causing difficulty.

unforgiving chill

Emphasizes the harsh and unrelenting nature of the cold.

FAQs

What are some better alternatives to "tough cold"?

Instead of "tough cold", consider using more common and grammatically correct phrases like "severe cold", "harsh cold", or "bitter cold".

Is "tough cold" grammatically correct?

The phrase "tough cold" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's advisable to use more established alternatives for clarity and precision.

How can I use a similar phrase like "tough cold" in a sentence?

While "tough cold" isn't recommended, you can use phrases like "the "severe cold" made travel difficult" or "the "harsh cold" affected the crops".

What's the difference between "tough cold" and "severe cold"?

"Tough cold" isn't a standard phrase, while "severe cold" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe intense cold conditions.