bloʊ hɑt ænd koʊld
Emotions
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- To breathe both hot and cold air
What does "blow hot and cold" mean?
- To be inconsistent in one's feelings or opinions
- To keep changing one's mind about something
Examples
- He keeps blowing hot and cold about the relationship.
- Management has been blowing hot and cold on the new policy.
- She blows hot and cold—one day she's enthusiastic, the next she's not interested.
Origin
From Aesop's fable about a satyr who distrusted a man because he blew on his hands to warm them and on his soup to cool it. The phrase implies untrustworthy inconsistency.
How to use it
Often used to describe unreliable behavior in relationships or decision-making. Carries a somewhat negative connotation.
Similar expressions
be inconsistent
waver
vacillate
run hot and cold
Opposites
be consistent
stay committed
Related idioms
- hang in there
To persevere during difficult times
- lose your temper
To become suddenly angry
- get cold feet
To become nervous or afraid before doing something important
- on top of the world
Feeling extremely happy and successful
- rain on someone's parade
To spoil someone's plans or enthusiasm
- blow off steam
To release pent-up energy or emotion through activity
Use it in a practice answer
Try "blow hot and cold" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.