cold fish

noun

: a cold aloof person

Examples of cold fish in a Sentence

She's a lovely person, but her husband's a bit of a cold fish. her husband is such a cold fish that I'm reluctant to have them over for dinner
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lancelot, still the Round Table’s greatest hero, is a bit of a cold fish with an unexpected role to play as the saga winds to its close. Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post, 16 July 2024 This emulsified mixture of garlic, olive oil and egg is a classic accompaniment to fish (especially cold fish). Domenica Marchetti, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Anxious people are hurt and damaged while avoidants are cold fishes. Vicky Spratt, refinery29.com, 17 Oct. 2023 The book also says the sauce is to be served with calf’s head or cold fish. G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 27 July 2023 As Alfred Uhry’s book — also a Tony winner — relates, Leo, the manager of a pencil factory owned by Lucille’s uncle, is a misfit in Atlanta: a New York Jew but also a cold fish. Jesse Green, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2023 There would be plates of bright red tuna crudo, the cold fish drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt flakes. Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2022 Uncle Richard came round to the flat especially to reason with her, and reported back to Hilary that his niece was a funny sort of girl, bit of a cold fish, very set on her own ideas. Tessa Hadley, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2022 Each ticket comes with a 15-minute window for pickup, to avoid any risk of long lines and cold fish. Star Tribune, 25 Feb. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cold fish was in 1924

Dictionary Entries Near cold fish

Cite this Entry

“Cold fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold%20fish. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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