Skip to main content

give the cold shoulderto deliberately ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to deliberately ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɡɪv ðə koʊld ˈʃoʊldər/

Example Sentences

  • When Tom tried to join the conversation, his ex-girlfriend gave him the cold shoulder and walked away.
  • The celebrity gave reporters the cold shoulder after the scandal broke out.
  • My cat gives me the cold shoulder every time I come back from a business trip, as if punishing me for leaving.

give the cold shoulder

VERB

[/ɡɪv ðə koʊld ˈʃoʊldər/]

to deliberately ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way

to deliberately ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way
💡 Concept

to deliberately ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way

Empty folder in hand, he grows bolder, but still gets the cold shoulder
🎵 Rhyme

Empty folder in hand, he grows bolder, but still gets the cold shoulder

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɡɪv ðə koʊld ˈʃoʊldər/
🇬🇧 UK/ɡɪv ðə kəʊld ˈʃəʊldə/

🌳Etymology

🎵Rhyme

bolderfolderholder
bolder
folder
holder

🔗Collocations

give someone the cold shoulder
get the cold shoulder
receive the cold shoulder
cold shoulder treatment
turn a cold shoulder

📝Examples

When Tom tried to join the conversation, his ex-girlfriend gave him the cold shoulder and walked away.

The celebrity gave reporters the cold shoulder after the scandal broke out.

😄 Fun example

My cat gives me the cold shoulder every time I come back from a business trip, as if punishing me for leaving.

😄 Fun example

Don't give me the cold shoulder just because I ate the last piece of pizza!

📚Related Words

Synonyms

snubignoreshunostracizebrush off

Antonyms

welcomeembracegreet warmly

Related

cold treatmentsocial rejectionunfriendly behaviordeliberate ignorance

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.