His apology was cold comfort after he broke my favorite vase.
cold comfort
idiomMuch less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.
Origin
disputed originPopularized by William Shakespeare in The Taming of the Shrew, see quotations.
The company offered a small refund, but it was cold comfort to the customers who lost their entire savings.
While the judge acknowledged the victim's suffering, the modest financial settlement provided only cold comfort for the years of hardship she had endured.
- 01
a cold day in July
The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.
- 02
blow hot and cold
To behave inconsistently; to vacillate or to waver, as between extremes of opinion or emotion.
- 03
catch a cold
To contract a cold.
- 04
cold cash
Money, regarded as an incentive that can override any doubts or ethical concerns.
- 05
cold chills
Feelings of fear.
- 06
cold day in Hell
The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.
- 07
cold fish
A heartless individual; a person lacking empathy and emotion.
- 08
cold hand
Used in reference to a player who fails to make successful shots in a game.