cold comfort
Much less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“His apology was cold comfort after he broke my favorite vase.”
“A warm blanket is cold comfort when you are hungry.”
“The company offered a small refund, but it was cold comfort to the customers who lost their entire savings.”
“Knowing that other people also failed the exam was cold comfort when I realized I had to pay for the entire course again.”
“The landlord promised to fix the heater next week, which was cold comfort to the family sleeping in a freezing apartment tonight.”
“While the judge acknowledged the victim's suffering, the modest financial settlement provided only cold comfort for the years of hardship she had endured.”
William Shakespeare popularized the expression in the late 16th century, most notably in *The Taming of the Shrew*. The phrase appears in the play as a description of a cold and unwelcome reception, though the components of the idiom existed in Middle English prior to his usage. Shakespeare’s inclusion ensured the term remained a standard English fixture for a consolation that offers no actual relief.
- 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.
Last updated August 10, 2026