cold comfort

noun

1. slight or negligible comfort; scarce consolation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cold comfort¹

First recorded in 1565–75

Idioms and Phrases

Slight or no consolation. For example, He can't lend us his canoe but will tell us where to rent one—that's cold comfort . The adjective cold was being applied to comfort in this sense by the early 1300s, and Shakespeare used the idiom numerous times.

Example Sentences

All that is admittedly cold comfort to the Palestinians caught in the crossfire, the Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza and the growing displaced populations of southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s true, but it’s cold comfort to consumers and home buyers.

From Los Angeles Times

WCK called the IDF's apology "cold comfort" for the aid workers' families.

From BBC

But for renters such as Lori Shelton in Colorado, the debate about how to add housing supply is cold comfort when she owes rent now.

From Seattle Times

Channeling rage to the consumer bureau may be cold comfort, but it’s what you’re left with for now.

From New York Times