cold shower

Idioms and Phrases

A surprisingly chilly reception, reaction, or response, as in The small voter turnout was a cold shower to the League of Women Voters . The allusion in this term is to the unexpected and not always pleasant effect of an ice-cold shower. [Second half of 1900s]

Example Sentences

The first words out of his mouth were simply “I just need a cold shower.”

From The Daily Beast

The feeling quickly dissipated when—shortly after—he found himself naked in a cold shower, surrounded by the two adult men.

From The Daily Beast

The presence of Jowar revived her like a cold shower, and she stood on her own feet with her chin in the air.

From Project Gutenberg

I splash in brief swift soapsuds, and go under a sudden heroic icy cold shower, and dry me with a scourging towel.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr Gordon recommends the tincture of Lobelia inflata, with the use of the cold shower-bath.

From Project Gutenberg

He gasped, his body making the same thermal changes as if he stood under a cold shower.

From Project Gutenberg

He first took his customary cold shower-bath, and then quickly threw on his clothes.

From Project Gutenberg