cold shoulder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, idiomatic
Quick answer
What does “cold shoulder” mean?
A deliberate act of ignoring someone or treating them with intentional unfriendliness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A deliberate act of ignoring someone or treating them with intentional unfriendliness.
To show intentional disregard, snub, or ostracize someone, often as a form of punishment or to express disapproval.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties. The verb form 'to cold-shoulder' is slightly more common in British English.
Connotations
Identical connotations of social rejection and deliberate snubbing.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “cold shoulder” in a Sentence
[Subject] gave [Object] the cold shoulder.[Subject] was cold-shouldered by [Object].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cold shoulder” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She decided to cold-shoulder him at the party after their argument.
- The entire team cold-shouldered the new recruit for weeks.
American English
- He felt cold-shouldered by his colleagues after the promotion.
- They agreed to cold-shoulder anyone who broke the pact.
adverb
British English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A – not used as a standalone adjective.
American English
- N/A – not used as a standalone adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe being excluded from meetings or communications, e.g., 'After the merger, the old management team was given the cold shoulder.'
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; more common in sociological or psychological discussions of social exclusion.
Everyday
Common in social contexts to describe being ignored by friends, family, or acquaintances.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cold shoulder”
- Using it as an adjective to describe a person ('He is a cold shoulder man') – incorrect. It is a set noun phrase or verb.
- Confusing with 'cold feet' (nervousness).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the verb form 'to cold-shoulder' (often hyphenated) is standard, meaning to deliberately ignore or snub someone.
The most cited origin is from the early 19th century, referring to serving an unwelcome guest a cold shoulder of meat (mutton) instead of a warm meal, thus showing poor hospitality.
Yes, it is generally considered a passive-aggressive or openly hostile form of social rejection and is impolite.
Yes, but carefully. It describes a behaviour (being ostracised or excluded) and is acceptable in informal professional communication, but is too informal for formal reports or legal documents.
A deliberate act of ignoring someone or treating them with intentional unfriendliness.
Cold shoulder is usually informal, idiomatic in register.
Cold shoulder: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊld ˈʃəʊl.dər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊld ˈʃoʊl.dɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Give someone the cold shoulder”
- “Get the cold shoulder”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine turning your shoulder away from someone, leaving them out in the cold. The physical gesture of turning a 'cold shoulder' matches the emotional distance.
Conceptual Metaphor
AFFECTION IS WARMTH / REJECTION IS COLDNESS. Treating someone coldly is like denying them the warmth of social interaction.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'to give someone the cold shoulder' mean?