Give someone the cold shoulder

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase Give someone the cold shoulder, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression Give someone the cold shoulder used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "Give someone the cold shoulder"

Meaning

To give someone the cold shoulder is an idiom which is used to describe a situation where someone is deliberately not showing someone else any attention or in some cases actively ignoring them. It is generally used to express the idea of someone not being accepted by a group or community for some reason.

Etymology

The term started to be used in the Middle Ages, where literal cold shoulders of meat were a common dish. During this time, if someone were to refuse this offering or ignore it, it symbolised a disregard for the other person. So, it has been suggested that the phrase has been used to describe a situation where someone is deliberately given the cold shoulder as a sign of hostility or disrespect.

Usage

The phrase is generally used to describe a situation where someone is being deliberately ignored or not accepted due to some reason. It is also used to express feelings of resentment or anger between two parties and in some cases to show disapproval of someone’s behaviour or actions. It is also used to express a sense of disappointment or hurt when someone is not given the attention they expected or deserved.

Example Sentences

• When she arrived at the party, she was given the cold shoulder by her former friends.
• She was given the cold shoulder after she made fun of her classmate.
• He was given the cold shoulder after he was caught lying to his parents.

The Global Spread of English Idioms

As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.