The Economic Times

Phrase of the Day: 'Cold Shoulder'- The popular phrase that explains the pain of being ignored- meaning, origin, and usage in sentences explained

The phrase 'cold shoulder' describes deliberate unfriendly treatment and intentional exclusion. Its origins are debated, possibly linked to old British dinner customs. This expression names a painful experience of being deliberately ignored by others. It is used when someone intentionally treats another with indifference. The idiom remains popular for describing social and diplomatic tensions.