# in the cold light of day

> English word · Prep_phrase · IPA /ˌɪn ðə ˈkəʊ̯ld ˌlaɪ̯t əv ˈdeɪ̯/

## Definitions
1. Viewed calmly and dispassionately after allowing emotions to cool or after having sobered up.
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in, the, cold, light, of, day; during the day; in daylight.

## Etymology
Probably an allusion to a situation being seen more clearly in daylight, and after some time has passed. The word cold is used in the sense of “dispassionate; not prejudiced or partisan; impartial”.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/in-the-cold-light-of-day