A cold fish
noun
A person who is unwelcoming or unfriendly.
He did all his duties but remained a cold fish throughout the party.
Often appears as...
- be a cold fish
- act like a cold fish
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A person who is unwelcoming or unfriendly.
He did all his duties but remained a cold fish throughout the party.
Often appears as...
- be a cold fish
- act like a cold fish
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Use
The phrase is informal and best used in casual conversation or creative writing, not in formal settings.
When he didn't bother to greet us, I realized he was a bit of a cold fish.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Distance
Implies a lack of emotional warmth or interest in others' feelings, not just general unfriendliness.
Even after the good news, she acted like a cold fish, barely smiling.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Negative
Using 'a cold fish' subtly communicates a negative judgment about someone's social behavior.
The new manager is a cold fish; he never joins in on the team lunches.
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Use
The phrase is informal and best used in casual conversation or creative writing, not in formal settings.
When he didn't bother to greet us, I realized he was a bit of a cold fish.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Distance
Implies a lack of emotional warmth or interest in others' feelings, not just general unfriendliness.
Even after the good news, she acted like a cold fish, barely smiling.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Negative
Using 'a cold fish' subtly communicates a negative judgment about someone's social behavior.
The new manager is a cold fish; he never joins in on the team lunches.
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Use
The phrase is informal and best used in casual conversation or creative writing, not in formal settings.
When he didn't bother to greet us, I realized he was a bit of a cold fish.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Distance
Implies a lack of emotional warmth or interest in others' feelings, not just general unfriendliness.
Even after the good news, she acted like a cold fish, barely smiling.
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Negative
Using 'a cold fish' subtly communicates a negative judgment about someone's social behavior.
The new manager is a cold fish; he never joins in on the team lunches.
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