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3. in the cold light of day

in the cold light of day

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in the cold light of day

if you think about something in the cold light of day, you think about it clearly and calmly, without the emotions you had at the time it happened, and you often feel sorry or ashamed about it The next morning, in the cold light of day, Sarah realized what a complete idiot she had been.

See also: cold, light, of

in the cold light of day

Dispassionately, unemotionally, especially at a later time. For example, They had a terrible fight about the mix-up, but in the cold light of day they realized they were both at fault . This expression transfers the illumination of daylight to rational understanding and uses cold to emphasize the lack of passion.

See also: cold, light, of