# cold shoulder

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cold-shoulder
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A deliberate act of disrespect; a slight or snub.

## Examples

- He gave me the cold shoulder at the party.
- My cat gives me the cold shoulder whenever I come home late.
- I tried to apologize for the argument, but she gave me the cold shoulder all day.
- When I asked my neighbor about the loud music last night, he just gave me the cold shoulder and walked away without saying a word.
- Despite his attempts to reconcile after their public disagreement, his former colleague continued to offer him the cold shoulder throughout the entire conference.

## Origin

The phrase is possibly a coinage of Sir Walter Scott, first appearing in his 1816 work *The Antiquary*. A popular but unproven story suggests the idiom derives from the custom of serving a guest a cold shoulder of mutton as a polite signal that their welcome had expired and no more hot food would be forthcoming. While the culinary slight provides a tidy explanation for the social one, the connection remains speculative, leaving the expression as a likely literary invention from 1816 that gained traction regardless of its disputed origins in the kitchen. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.