Idiom
cold shoulder
Meanings
Intentional unfriendly behavior toward someone; deliberate ignoring or snubbing.
Definition
If you give someone the cold shoulder, you deliberately ignore them or treat them in an unfriendly way.
To give someone the cold shoulder means to intentionally act distant, unfriendly, or unresponsive toward them. You may avoid eye contact, stop replying, or exclude them from conversation. It is often used when someone is upset, disappointed, or trying to show disapproval.
Examples
- Ever since our argument, she’s been giving me the cold shoulder.
- He tried to apologize, but his boss gave him the cold shoulder.
- I don’t know why they gave us the cold shoulder at the party.
- After I missed the deadline, my teammates started giving me the cold shoulder.
Common mistake
Learners often say “give the cold shoulder to someone,” but the most natural pattern is “give someone the cold shoulder.”
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire Used to say something is decided or finished only at the last possible moment.
- lost the plot To become confused or behave in a way that no longer makes sense.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready for action.