cold shoulder

cold shoulder
cold shoulder 1816, in the figurative sense of "icy reception," first in Sir Walter Scott, probably originally a literal figure, but commonly used with a punning reference to "cold shoulder of mutton," considered a poor man's dish and thus, perhaps, something one would set out for an unwanted guest with deliberate intention to convey displeasure.
How often have we admired the poor knight, who, to avoid the snares of bribery and dependence, was found making a second dinner from a cold shoulder of mutton, above the most affluent courtier, who had sold himself to others for a splendid pension! ["No Fiction," 1820]

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Cold Shoulder — Adele Veröffentlichung 21. April 2008 [1] Länge 3:12 (Album Version)[2] 3:15 (Single Version) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • cold-shoulder — cold shoulders, cold shouldering, cold shouldered 1) N SING: usu the N If one person gives another the cold shoulder, they behave towards them in an unfriendly way, to show them that they do not care about them or that they want them to go away.… …   English dictionary

  • cold-shoulder — {v.}, {informal} To act towards a person; with dislike or scorn; be unfriendly to. * /Fred cold shouldered his old friend when they passed on the street./ * /It is impolite and unkind to cold shoulder people./ Compare: BRUSH OFF(2), HIGH HAT,… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • cold-shoulder — {v.}, {informal} To act towards a person; with dislike or scorn; be unfriendly to. * /Fred cold shouldered his old friend when they passed on the street./ * /It is impolite and unkind to cold shoulder people./ Compare: BRUSH OFF(2), HIGH HAT,… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • cold shoulder — n (give sb/get) the cold shoulder to behave in an unfriendly way towards someone that you know >cold shoulder v [T] …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • cold-shoulder — (someone) give (someone) the cold shoulder to behave towards someone in a way that is not at all friendly, sometimes for reasons that this person does not understand. After their argument, Peter cold shouldered Jonathan for the rest of the week …   New idioms dictionary

  • cold shoulder — noun get/be given the cold shoulder INFORMAL to be treated in an unfriendly way by someone you know …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • cold shoulder — If you give or show someone the cold shoulder, you are deliberately unfriendly and unco operative towards them …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • cold shoulder — n. Informal deliberate indifference or coldness; a slight, rebuff, or snub: often used with the cold shoulder vt …   English World dictionary

  • cold shoulder — index rebuff Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

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