First recorded in 1930–35
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The one-room Method Gallery continues its practice of hosting cutting-edge installations with Seattle’s first solo show of work by Morgan Peterson, a glassblower, cold-work and mixed-media artist.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 5, 2021
It was a great place for cold-work labs, but not worth anything for colonization.
From Unwise Child by Garrett, Randall
"If you drove a cold work van all day, going from job to job, you'd understand," he said.
From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2025
It was wet, cold work; it could even be dangerous.
From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau
"Say, it's going to be cold work getting that boat into shape for use," he added, for the sun was going down and the air was keen.
From Dave Porter and His Rivals or, The Chums and Foes of Oak Hall by Goss, John
Let us get her over at once; it is cold work standing thus in the water; and we may as well be comfortable as not!”
From Picked up at Sea The Gold Miners of Minturne Creek by Hutcheson, John C. (John Conroy)
Fastening all the frozen ropes was very cold work.
From In the Forbidden Land by Landor, Arnold Henry Savage
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
