cold shoulder

¹

[ kohld shohl-der ]

noun

1. a show of deliberate indifference or disregard.

adjective

1. Also cold-shoul·der. (of a sleeved garment) having a portion of each sleeve cut out, leaving the shoulders exposed:

   cold shoulder tops for everyday wear;

   a cold-shoulder dress.

cold-shoulder

²

[ kohld-shohl-der ]

verb (used with object)

1. to snub; show indifference to.

cold shoulder

noun

1. the cold shoulder
   the cold shoulder a show of indifference; a slight

verb

1. to treat with indifference

cold shoulder

1. To “give someone the cold shoulder” is to ignore someone deliberately: “At the party, Carl tried to talk to Suzanne, but she gave him the cold shoulder.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cold shoulder¹

First recorded in 1810–20; cold shoulder def 2 was first recorded in 2010–15

Origin of cold shoulder²

First recorded in 1810–20

Idioms and Phrases

Deliberate coldness or disregard, a slight or snub. For example, When I said hello to her in the library, she gave me the cold shoulder and walked away . This term, which first appeared in writings by Sir Walter Scott and others, supposedly alludes to the custom of welcoming a desired guest with a meal of roasted meat, but serving only a cold shoulder of beef or lamb—a far inferior dish—to those who outstayed their welcome. [Early 1800s]

Example Sentences

Ignoring them may be the best solution, but some might take your cold shoulder as coals for their fire, making matters even worse.

From Popular-Science

After giving a cold shoulder to cryptocurrencies for years, India’s central bank is finally set to launch its own digital currency, and investors in the country have a reason to cheer.

From Quartz

For almost 30 years, NASA has given Venus the cold shoulder.

From MIT Technology Review

If they did so, they would likely not get a cold shoulder from President Putin.

From The Daily Beast

Cersei had been giving the Jaime the cold shoulder since his return, and the one-handed “Kingslayer” reaches his breaking point.

From The Daily Beast

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is also getting the cold shoulder from his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu.

From The Daily Beast

The cold shoulder Elsa casts against her will is crucial to the plot.

From The Daily Beast

The financial markets are giving Argentina the cold shoulder?

From The Daily Beast

There was Cliff Manning, you turned the cold shoulder to him because he couldnt talk grammar.

From Project Gutenberg

(That's irony red-hot it seemeth to me); O for a turn of its dreaded cold shoulder!O what a comfort an ague would be!

From Project Gutenberg

Brother,” said Heika, with a sad but earnest look, “I must give this man the cold shoulder.

From Project Gutenberg

I tell you, mother, we all missed a figure in turning the cold shoulder to her; and how much money she has made!

From Project Gutenberg

It was situated upon the cold shoulder of a hill, sixteen miles from the nearest station.

From Project Gutenberg