in the cold light of day

1. 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.

Example Sentences

In the cold light of day, though, when her vulnerabilities bump up against his reset untouchability — Ortega gets a great line, “You don’t look worried, you look scared” — this impulsive star/fan connection takes a violent turn.

From Los Angeles Times

“I would be fairly confident that most of those young people, in the cold light of day, in sobriety watching those videos will be mortified.”

From BBC

And yet, as a unionist party, one big niggle remains in the cold light of day.

From BBC

Although Broad survived until day three, in the cold light of day, the Nighthawk's wings were clipped.

From BBC

In the cold light of day, the candlelit comity may just have been a moment of calm before attendees return to their post-lame-duck battle positions.

From New York Times