give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: to deliberately treat someone with indifference or ignore them.
Language: English
Literally: to give someone a cold shoulder
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: The 'cold shoulder of mutton served to unwanted guests' tale is folk etymology, popularized by Sir Walter Scott; more likely a metaphor for physically turning one's shoulder away. Earliest citations don't support the food story.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- wear your heart on your sleeve — to display emotions openly; to be transparent about feelings.
- have the wool pulled over your eyes — to be deceived or fooled.
- lower your guard — to relax defenses; to become vulnerable.
- fit as a fiddle — in excellent physical condition; healthy.
- keep your chin up — to remain optimistic; to stay courageous during difficulty.
- pitter-patter of little feet — the sound of children running; anticipation of having babies.
More English idioms
- let the cat out of the bag — to reveal a secret inadvertently.
- pull your punches — to hold back; to be less forceful than you could be.
- spill the tea — to reveal gossip or scandalous information.
- go belly up — to fail completely; to go bankrupt.
- mad as a box of frogs — completely crazy; chaotic and unpredictable.
- bark up the wrong tree — to pursue a wrong course; to blame the wrong person.