SINCE 1828
in the cold light of day
idiomDefinition of in the cold light of day
: in the day when things can be seen clearly rather than at night
The house that had looked so sinister at night seemed much less frightening in the cold light of day.
—sometimes used figuratively She forced me to look at myself in the cold light of day, and I didn't like what I saw.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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