cold stare
2
4.6
- noun
:
mirada fría
- Several sales ladies cooed at him, but he only offered a long, cold stare.
- gives a cold stare
- turns a cold stare
Examples
-
Her question, along with a cold stare, effectively shut down the conversation even though I explained it.
Academic text (2015) -
Escobar looks at him with a cold stare.
Fiction book (2001) -
Give him a cold stare.
-
Sarah gives him a cold stare.
Fiction book (1991) -
You would recognize me by my smile and not my cold stare.
Blog text (18) -
Keaton's cold stare is all the answer Verbal needs.
Fiction book (1996) -
Jack meets Big Mike's cold stare.
Fiction book (2000) -
I ignored him and aimed a cold stare at the blackboard.
Fiction book (1991) -
He fixed Casimir with a cold stare before he turned and plodded away.
Fiction book (1992) -
Her cold stare made it clear that she disapproved of my decision.
Synonyms
15
3.9
An angry look that shows you do not like something
10
2.8
A look that shows dislike or anger
9
5.5
A look on the face that shows you do not respect someone
2
7.4
A fierce look that shows anger or dislike
2
3.1
A serious face that shows someone is unhappy or strict
1
5.8
A very angry face that makes someone feel afraid
A cold unfriendly look someone gives to show dislike
A look with eyebrows pulled together and lips pressed to show disapproval
A hard, cold look that shows no feeling
Antonyms
How Unfriendly
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a fixed and unfriendly look' is directly derivable from combining 'cold' (emotionally aloof or unfriendly) with 'stare' (a sustained look). This adjective+noun compositional pattern and the metaphorical use of 'cold' for emotional distance are common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the phrase.
Etymology
Cold stare comes from the image of someone giving a hard, steady look — a stare that feels 'cold' because it shows no warmth or kindness. That's why it means a fixed, unfriendly look showing 'anger' or that someone is 'not pleased'.