cold shoulder

¹

[kohld shohl-der]

noun

1. a show of deliberate indifference or disregard.

adjective

1. Also cold-shoulder (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. 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]