cold shoulder

¹

[ kohld shohl-der ]

noun

1. a show of deliberate indifference or disregard.

adjective

1. Also cold-shoul·der. (of a sleeved garment) having a portion of each sleeve cut out, leaving the shoulders exposed:

   cold shoulder tops for everyday wear;

   a cold-shoulder dress.

cold-shoulder

²

[ kohld-shohl-der ]

verb (used with object)

1. to snub; show indifference to.

cold shoulder

noun

1. the cold shoulder
   a show of indifference; a slight

verb

1. to treat with indifference

cold shoulder

1. To “give someone the cold shoulder” is to ignore someone deliberately: “At the party, Carl tried to talk to Suzanne, but she gave him the cold shoulder.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cold shoulder¹

First recorded in 1810–20; cold shoulder def 2 was first recorded in 2010–15

Origin of cold shoulder²

First recorded in 1810–20

Idioms and Phrases

Deliberate coldness or disregard, a slight or snub. For example, When I said hello to her in the library, she gave me the cold shoulder and walked away . This term, which first appeared in writings by Sir Walter Scott and others, supposedly alludes to the custom of welcoming a desired guest with a meal of roasted meat, but serving only a cold shoulder of beef or lamb—a far inferior dish—to those who outstayed their welcome. [Early 1800s]

Example Sentences

Beyoncé, months after lamenting not “being country ‘nough” in “Cowboy Carter,” is getting the cold shoulder from the country music scene — again.

From Los Angeles Times

What if the company just gave this guy the cold shoulder?

From Salon

China also has turned a cold shoulder to a Ukraine peace conference that is set to be hosted by Switzerland in June and snubs Russia.

From Seattle Times

Colin is disheartened to find Penelope giving him the cold shoulder, and so offers to help her in her pursuit of a husband in order to win back her friendship.

From BBC

Now, however, she is getting the cold shoulder from Republican colleagues.

From Salon