Quick answer: “Blow Hot and Cold” means keep changing your opinion or attitude about something.
Blow hot and cold — to keep changing one's opinion, feelings, or attitude about something or someone; to alternate between enthusiasm and disinterest.
Origin & History
This idiom traces back to one of Aesop's Fables, "The Man and the Satyr", in which a satyr sees a man blow on his cold hands to warm them and later blow on his hot soup to cool it. The satyr, confused by the man's contradictory actions, refuses to associate with someone who "blows hot and cold from the same mouth." The fable was widely known in ancient Greece and Rome, and the phrase entered English by at least the 16th century.
The idiom is used today to describe inconsistency in opinions, feelings, or decisions — particularly in professional or romantic contexts. It often implies that the inconsistency is frustrating to others. Learners who want to check other figurative expressions can consult general reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary, which document how such idioms are used today.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| "The client keeps blowing hot and cold about the design — I don't know what they actually want." | Indecisive client |
| "She's been blowing hot and cold about the job offer for two weeks now." | Career indecision |
| "He blows hot and cold with his employees, praising them one day and criticising them the next." | Unpredictable management |
| "Stop blowing hot and cold and just tell me whether you're coming or not." | Direct request for clarity |
| "The government has blown hot and cold on the issue for years without committing to a policy." | Political inconsistency |
| "He's been blowing hot and cold about the relationship, so she decided to move on." | Romantic uncertainty |
Use It in Conversation
Dialogue Example
Priya: What did the investor say about the pitch?
James: He's blowing hot and cold. Last week he was enthusiastic, now he wants more data.
Priya: Classic. Let's prepare a stronger report and follow up next month.
How to Use It
This idiom is neutral to informal. It describes inconsistency over time, so it is often used in the continuous tense: "she keeps blowing hot and cold" or "he has been blowing hot and cold". It can refer to feelings, opinions, decisions, or behaviour.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
The manager blows hot and cold and warm.
The manager blows hot and cold. — The idiom is a fixed pair; do not add extra temperatures.
She blew hot or cold about the decision.
She blew hot and cold about the decision. — Use "and", not "or".
Similar Idioms
Practise This Idiom
Want to understand the grammar behind this? Explore our Grammar guides.
Quick Check: Blow Hot and Cold
1 question — test what you just learned.
1. What does “Blow Hot and Cold” mean?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "blow hot and cold" mean?
"Blow hot and cold" means to keep changing your opinion, attitude, or feelings about something. It describes someone who is inconsistent — enthusiastic one moment and disinterested the next.
Where does "blow hot and cold" come from?
The phrase comes from an Aesop's Fable called "The Man and the Satyr", in which a man blows on his hands to warm them and on his soup to cool it. The satyr finds this contradictory and distrusts the man. The idiom entered English by the 16th century.
Can you give an example of "blow hot and cold" in a sentence?
Example: "The client keeps blowing hot and cold about the design — I don't know what they actually want." It describes frustrating inconsistency.
Is "blow hot and cold" formal or informal?
The idiom is neutral to informal. It is suitable in conversation and semi-formal writing but may sound idiomatic in formal contexts.
What CEFR level is "blow hot and cold"?
Typically B2 (Upper-Intermediate). It is well-established in British and American English and commonly heard in professional and social contexts.
What is the grammar structure of "blow hot and cold"?
It is used as a verb phrase. The subject + blows/blew/is blowing + hot and cold + (about/on + topic). Example: "She keeps blowing hot and cold about the move."
What idioms are similar to "blow hot and cold"?
Similar expressions include "sit on the fence" (avoid committing), "chop and change" (keep changing plans), and "have a change of heart" (change one's opinion or feeling).
How do I practise "blow hot and cold"?
Write three sentences describing a person, company, or government that keeps changing its stance. Then use LexFizz Flash Cards to test yourself.
Can "blow hot and cold" describe a positive quality?
Rarely. It usually describes a negative quality: unreliability or emotional inconsistency. However, it can be used neutrally to describe someone who is genuinely uncertain.
Is "blow hot and cold" used in American English?
Yes, though it is more common in British English. American speakers may be more likely to say "runs hot and cold" or "is back and forth" to express the same idea.