ɡɪv ˈsʌmwʌn ðə koʊld ˈʃoʊldər
Relationships
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- To offer someone a cold shoulder of meat (a lesser cut)
What does "give someone the cold shoulder" mean?
- To deliberately ignore or act unfriendly toward someone
- To snub or reject someone's attempts at contact
Examples
- Ever since our argument, she's been giving me the cold shoulder.
- He gave her the cold shoulder at the party.
- Don't give me the cold shoulder—let's talk about what happened.
Origin
Possibly from the practice of serving guests a cold shoulder of mutton (an inferior cut) to indicate they were unwelcome. Used since the early 19th century.
How to use it
Implies deliberate unfriendliness. Often used to describe passive-aggressive behavior in relationships.
Similar expressions
snub
ignore
reject
shun
Opposites
welcome
embrace
be friendly
Related idioms
- break the ice
To initiate conversation in an awkward social situation
- see eye to eye
To agree with someone completely
- head over heels
Completely and deeply in love
- pull someone's leg
To tease or joke with someone
- cut someone some slack
To be less strict or demanding with someone
- tie the knot
To get married
Use it in a practice answer
Try "give someone the cold shoulder" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.