Prepare Students for Winter with These "Cold" Expressions
This time of year, temperatures begin to drop and people wear more clothes to keep warm. Depending on the part of the world, some people only need a light jacket, while others wrap themselves in many layers of clothing before they even think about going outside.
Winter is a great time to introduce students to the many English expressions related to the idea of coldness. In fact, though they aren't all related to weather, "cold" is used in a variety of ways, often with a negative nuance. See how many they know, and if they have any similar expressions in their native language.
“Cold” English expressions
Cold-hearted
We often associate positive emotions like love, empathy and kindness with warmth. Also, our bodies are very warm, with an average temperature of 98° F, or 37° C.
All of this is why describing someone as “cold-hearted” means they don't have the warm emotions mentioned above. Instead, they appear unfriendly and seem to lack normal human feelings.
The villain of the movie was a cold-hearted gangster who only cared about money and power.
This is similar to the expression to “have ice in one’s veins.”
My former boss had ice in his veins. I never saw him smile once.
Get cold feet
“Getting cold feet” means getting nervous. This is often used before major events or actions to say that someone is scared.
As you probably know, it's quite common for beginner students to get cold feet before their lessons. Perhaps you can "break the ice" by explaining this expression (pardon the pun!).
I always get cold feet before I give presentations.
The skydivers got cold feet just before it was time to jump out of the airplane.
Cold call
“Cold-calling” someone is calling a person you have never spoken to before and have no connection with. It is often done by companies trying to find new customers.
I have to cold-call people all day at my telemarketing job.
Cold-calling only generates a small percentage of our business.
(Quit something) cold turkey
Habits are often very difficult to break. Although many people slowly stop doing an activity they want to quit, others don’t want to wait; instead they quit “cold turkey.” This means stopping a habit immediately.
Zach was able to quit smoking cold turkey. I don’t know how he did it.
After realizing she was addicted to social media, Sam stopped cold turkey and deleted all of her apps.
Cold sweat
We usually sweat because of heat, but "cold sweats" can happen because of fear, nervousness or sickness.
I woke up from my nightmare in a cold sweat.
Thinking about the big meeting next week makes me break into a cold sweat.
Cold comfort
Something that is “cold comfort” is good news but actually does not help a situation or make someone feel better.
He apologized for starting the rumor, although it was cold comfort after all of the damage it caused.
The government announced that it was determined to fight climate change, but it was cold comfort for families whose homes were already destroyed by flooding.
Leave someone out in the cold
This expression means to not include someone in an activity.
After losing his leadership position, he was left out in the cold when the group made major decisions.
Many former-workers were left out in the cold because of the company's layoffs.
Cold war
A “cold war” is a war without direct fighting. In other words, two or more sides are preparing for a fight without attacking each other.
The two companies have been in a cold war, with each hiring the best engineers before their rival can.
When spelled with capital letters, the Cold War usually refers to the political competition between the United States and the Soviet Union that took place from 1945 to 1991.
The cold shoulder
Giving someone “the cold shoulder” means ignoring them or treating them in an unfriendly or unwelcoming way.
Jesse’s been giving me the cold shoulder all week. What did I do to make her upset?
He never forgot how his colleagues gave him the cold shoulder when he was new to the job.
Discussion questions
Here are examples of some questions you can ask to give your students a chance to practice using these expressions:
- Have you ever given someone the cold shoulder? Why?
- Have you ever been left out in the cold?
- Have you ever quit something cold turkey?
- How do you respond to telemarketers who cold-call you?
- When is the last time you’ve gotten cold feet?
- Do you consider yourself to be a warm-hearted person?
Wrap-up
Although the colder months can be beautiful due to the snow, the idea of coldness usually makes us think of unpleasant experiences and feelings.
However, these expressions are still very useful for English speakers to know, so be sure your students learn them so they won't get left out in the cold in their next English conversation!
