Quick answer: “Give Someone the Cold Shoulder” means to deliberately ignore or snub someone with intentional unfriendliness.
Give someone the cold shoulder — to deliberately ignore or snub someone; to treat someone with deliberate unfriendliness or indifference.
Origin & History
The phrase is commonly credited to the Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott, who used a related form in his 1816 novel The Antiquary. One popular folk etymology suggests that an unwelcome houseguest would be served a cold shoulder of mutton — leftover meat — rather than a warm, freshly cooked meal, signalling that they had overstayed their welcome. Whether or not the story is accurate, the image of offering someone the cold, bony part of a shoulder became a vivid metaphor for dismissal and indifference.
By the mid-19th century the expression was firmly established in British English. It spread to American English and remains one of the most widely recognised social idioms in the language today, frequently used to describe interpersonal conflict, workplace tension, and social exclusion. Reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary catalogue thousands of such figurative expressions, showing how idiomatic meanings take shape over time.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| Ever since the argument, she's been giving him the cold shoulder at work. | Workplace conflict |
| He greeted his old friend warmly, but she gave him the cold shoulder and walked away. | Social snub |
| After missing the party, I got the cold shoulder from most of the group. | Friendship |
| The new member felt she was being given the cold shoulder by the committee. | Group dynamics |
| He tried to apologise, but she continued to give him the cold shoulder for a week. | Relationship tension |
| When the journalist arrived at the press conference, the spokesperson gave her the cold shoulder. | Media |
Use It in Conversation
Dialogue Example
Kezia: Have you spoken to Damian since the meeting yesterday?
Liam: I tried, but he gave me the cold shoulder. Didn't even look up from his screen.
Kezia: That doesn't sound like him. Maybe he's upset about the budget decision?
How to Use It
"Give someone the cold shoulder" requires a direct or indirect object: "give him/her/them the cold shoulder". You can also say "get the cold shoulder" to describe receiving this treatment, or use the verb "cold-shoulder" directly: "She cold-shouldered him all week." The idiom implies a deliberate and sustained choice to ignore — it is stronger than simply being unfriendly.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
She gave him a cold shoulder.
She gave him the cold shoulder. — The definite article "the" is fixed; do not use "a".
He gave the cold shoulder to his boss.
He gave his boss the cold shoulder. — In natural English, the person comes before "the cold shoulder".
Similar Idioms
Practise This Idiom
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Quick Check: Give Someone the Cold Shoulder
1 question — test what you just learned.
1. What does “Give Someone the Cold Shoulder” mean?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "give someone the cold shoulder" mean?
"Give someone the cold shoulder" means to deliberately ignore or snub someone — to treat them with intentional unfriendliness or indifference. It implies a conscious choice to exclude or dismiss someone socially.
Where does "give someone the cold shoulder" come from?
The phrase is commonly attributed to Sir Walter Scott, who used it in his 1816 novel The Antiquary. One popular theory suggests that an unwelcome guest would be served cold shoulder of mutton rather than a hot meal, signalling they were not welcome. The idiom entered widespread use during the 19th century.
Can you give an example of "give someone the cold shoulder" in a sentence?
Example: "Ever since the argument, she's been giving him the cold shoulder at work." It describes the deliberate, sustained act of ignoring or excluding someone.
Is "give someone the cold shoulder" formal or informal?
It is informal to neutral. It is very common in everyday conversation when describing social or workplace relationships. It would be unusual in formal business correspondence, but suitable in most other contexts.
What CEFR level is "give someone the cold shoulder"?
This idiom is typically taught at B2 (Upper-Intermediate) level. It is widely recognised in both British and American English and appears frequently in conversations about relationships and social dynamics.
What are common mistakes with "give someone the cold shoulder"?
A common mistake is saying "give someone a cold shoulder" — the correct form uses the definite article "the". Also, the full idiom usually includes a person: "give someone the cold shoulder", not just "give the cold shoulder" on its own.
What idioms are similar to "give someone the cold shoulder"?
Similar expressions include "give someone the silent treatment" (refuse to speak to someone), "blank someone" (British English: ignore someone completely), and "freeze someone out" (exclude someone from a group).
How do I practise idioms like "give someone the cold shoulder"?
Try LexFizz's Flip Tiles and Flash Cards. Practise by describing relationship or workplace scenarios involving conflict or social exclusion.
Can you "get" the cold shoulder as well as "give" it?
Yes. You can both give and receive it: "She gave him the cold shoulder" and "He got the cold shoulder from his colleagues" are both natural. You can also simply say "She cold-shouldered him".
Is "give someone the cold shoulder" used the same way in British and American English?
Yes, the idiom is used with the same meaning in both British and American English. It is one of the most universally recognised social idioms in the language.