Meaning
1. 小明邀請小美參加他的生日派對，但小美卻給了他一個冷漠的回應，讓小明有種被「give a cold shoulder」的感覺。
2. 在會議上，經理對於某位員工的建議不予理睬，這種行為就可以說是「give a cold shoulder」。
這個短語通常用於描述關係變得緊張或不愉快的情況，表達出人際關係中常見的冷淡或不滿。Example
I got into an argument with my girlfriend and she's been giving me the cold shoulder all week.
I said hi to her at the grocery store and she completely ignored me. Talk about getting a cold shoulder.
How rude! He said hi to everyone at the table except me. He totally gave me the cold shoulder.
What is an Idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that usually presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase. Idioms are not just used in conversations – they're also very common in literature, movies, and music. We utilize them to convey a message in a concise and effective manner, and often have deep cultural or historical significance. They help to create a vivid and memorable image in the minds of the audience.
Idioms are difficult because they do not mean what they literally state. Communication challenges emerge when you translate an idiom in your language; it will not make sense or if it does make sense you may miss the intended meaning.
How to Study Idioms
- Read them. Read books, newspapers, magazine articles, online articles for exposure in written material.
- Watch them. Watch TV shows and movies in English! There are so many streaming services available for you to choose from. Listen attentively and try to understand the context in which they are used.
- Use them. Talk to native speakers and try to incorporate common idioms into your conversations. Try using them during conversations with friends, family, coworkers, or through text.
- Practice. Practice. Practice. Remember that you can't learn all of them! So start with a few that you understand and build your library of idioms from there!
