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

See Examples For:

out in the cold

If both spouses have children from previous marriages, they both have an incentive to ensure that those children are not left out in the cold if their parents die first.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

“Years of narrow, large cap leadership have forced active investors into mega caps, leaving the average stock out in the cold — it’s 20% underweight, and owned by a paltry 10% of funds on average.”

From Barron's ● Feb. 10, 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

Structures made out of bed sheets and clothing—assembled by displaced Palestinians who haven’t received a proper tent—are disintegrating in the heavy rains and winds, leaving many out in the cold.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 13, 2025

She thought about Bubber sitting out in the cold, dark tree house.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers