out in the cold

Idioms  

1. Excluded from benefits given to others, neglected, as in Her stand on abortion left her out in the cold with the party. This idiom alludes to being left outdoors without shelter. [Mid-1800s] Also see come in from the cold.

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Example Sentences

That’s spreading budgets thin, discouraging potentially more effective long-term partnerships and leaving many out in the cold, creators say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Not to be left out in the cold, Amazon.com is projecting capital spending reaching $200 billion this year.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

Olympic rules say medals only go to the players, leaving the equipment managers, trainers and coaches — even coaches with inside information like Buckley — out in the cold.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2026

But which of these films managed to pull ahead in the race and which were left out in the cold with a snub?

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2025

Somewhere on the road, out in the cold.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff