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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Give someone the cold shoulder

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To deliberately ignore someone or treat them without friendliness or interest.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. After our argument, he gave me the cold shoulder at lunch.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

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Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To deliberately ignore someone or treat them without friendliness or interest.
Show the answer

Give someone the cold shoulder — To deliberately ignore someone or treat them without friendliness or interest.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Give someone the cold shoulder” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

To deliberately ignore someone or treat them without friendliness or interest.

Compare: After our argument, he gave me the cold shoulder at lunch.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it when describing intentional unfriendly behaviour, often after a disagreement. It is conversational and critical.

More examples in context

  • I did not mean to give you the cold shoulder; I was concentrating on the instructions.
  • She felt the group had given her the cold shoulder after she questioned the plan.

Usage note

Deliberate ignoring is central to the idiom. Someone who fails to notice you may simply be distracted; do not assume their intention without context.

A short conversation

A: Why did you not speak to me this morning? I thought you were giving me the cold shoulder.
B: I am sorry. I was wearing headphones and did not hear you.
A: Thanks for explaining.

One more practice question

Which action clearly gives someone the cold shoulder?

A. Missing their greeting because you genuinely did not hear it.
B. Intentionally refusing to acknowledge their greeting to show displeasure.

Check your answer

B. The ignoring is deliberate and unfriendly.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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