in the cold light of day UK /ˌɪn ðə ˈkəʊ̯ld ˌlaɪ̯t əv ˈdeɪ̯/US /ˌɪn ðə ˈkoʊ̯ld ˌlaɪ̯t əv ˈdeɪ̯/ prepositional phrase1 •(figurative) Viewed calmly and dispassionately after allowing emotions to cool or after having sobered up.In the cold light of day, I felt I had overreacted.
