To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition 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 figurativelyShe forced me to look at myself in the cold light of day, and I didn't like what I saw.
Comments on in the cold light of day
What made you want to look up in the cold light of day? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Obscure Shapes
- Something that is ooid is shaped like:
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share in the cold light of day