# give someone the cold shoulder

idiom · CEFR B1

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

## Meaning

To snub, resist or reject somebody; to regard somebody distantly.

## Examples

- Don't give me the cold shoulder just because I made a mistake.
- After their argument at the party, she gave him the cold shoulder for the rest of the night.
- Despite his repeated attempts to apologize for the misunderstanding, his former business partner continued to give him the cold shoulder throughout the meeting.

## Origin

Coined or popularised by Sir Walter Scott in The Antiquary (1816) as 'cauld shouther'; the story about serving guests cold mutton shoulder is folk etymology. (folk)

---

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.