turned to ice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turned to ice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something becomes very cold or to convey a sense of fear or shock. Example: "As the horror movie reached its climax, I felt my heart turned to ice at the sudden twist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

My heart turned to ice.

Independent

The atmosphere turned to ice.

Independent

The water for showers had turned to ice.

The New York Times - Health

It was raining, and the snow had turned to ice.

The New Yorker

When he saw Shayma, his stomach turned to ice.

The New York Times

Stregg's guts turned to ice and he phoned Gleason as soon as he could.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Stop and turn to ice?

The Guardian

Water can also deteriorate stone when it freezes and turns to ice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When I cry, the ice man kisses my cheek, and my tears turn to ice.

The New Yorker

For example, on airplane wings, water vapor turns to ice, adding weight and reducing lift.

MIT Technology Review

Step off for an hour, and the steam that has permeated your clothing turns to ice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "turned to ice" to describe emotions, ensure the context clearly establishes the emotional state being described. For instance, "Her smile turned to ice when she heard the news" effectively conveys a sudden shift from happiness to coldness or disappointment.

Common error

Avoid using "turned to ice" excessively in metaphorical senses (e.g., describing a business deal) if a more precise or nuanced term better suits the context. Options like "stalled", "collapsed", or "failed" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turned to ice" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing a transformation from one state to another. This transformation can be literal, as in water freezing, or metaphorical, denoting a shift in emotion or atmosphere. Ludwig provides examples illustrating both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turned to ice" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a literal or metaphorical transformation into a frozen state. Ludwig AI analysis confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, frequently appearing in News & Media. While it can denote physical freezing, it often conveys a shift towards emotional coldness or hostility. When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure the intended meaning is clear, and be mindful of overusing it metaphorically. Consider alternatives such as "became frozen" or "grew frigid" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became frozen

Emphasizes the resulting state of being frozen.

froze over

Highlights the surface aspect of becoming ice-covered.

solidified into ice

Stresses the process of becoming solid ice.

became icy

Focuses on the characteristic of being covered in ice.

grew frigid

Highlights an increase in coldness, either literally or figuratively.

became emotionless

Shifts the context to a lack of feeling or empathy.

chilled to the bone

Emphasizes extreme coldness, often in a figurative sense.

relations soured

Applies when describing deterioration in relationships.

the atmosphere cooled

Focuses on a shift in the overall mood or environment.

became indifferent

Implies a transition to a state of apathy or disinterest.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "turned to ice"?

Describing something as "turned to ice" typically means it has become literally frozen or, metaphorically, has become cold, emotionless, or hostile.

How can I use "turned to ice" in a sentence?

You can use "turned to ice" to describe a physical state (e.g., "The rain turned to ice overnight") or an emotional shift (e.g., "Her heart turned to ice when she heard the betrayal").

Which is a more appropriate alternative, "turned to ice" or "became icy"?

While both describe a change related to ice, "turned to ice" often implies a complete transformation or a sudden change, whereas "became icy" suggests a gradual process or a surface condition.

What are some metaphorical alternatives to "turned to ice" when describing emotions?

Instead of saying someone's heart "turned to ice", you could say they "became emotionless", "grew frigid", or their smile "froze", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.