Give someone the cold shoulder

Meaning

Deliberately ignore someone.

Usage

Used when refusing to engage socially.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Serving a cold shoulder of meat to unwanted guests.

Term appears in 19th-century British etiquette writing.