as in cold turkey
a cold aloof person
her husband is such a cold fish that I'm reluctant to have them over for dinner
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Recent Examples of cold fish
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cold fish
Noun
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Families are establishing screen-free zones in their homes, states are banning phones in schools, and a new kind of summer camp has emerged: digital detox camps, which can cost around $2,000 a week, and promise to wean attendees off screens by going cold turkey for the summer.—
Elana Klein,
Wired News,
21 July 2025
-
Intimidated by the idea of going cold turkey for either?—
Alisa Hrustic,
SELF,
24 June 2025
Noun
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As a result, slipper limpets compete with native mollusks for food and in areas where limpet populations are high, can outcompete oysters, clams, and mussels.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
5 Aug. 2025
-
There were dense beds of clams, each up to 9 inches long, and snow-like microbial mats creating an ethereal undersea dusting, dozens of feet wide.—
Jackson Peck,
NBC news,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
Officers deployed stop sticks that disabled multiple tires but despite this, the vehicle continued to flee before stopping in the front yard of a residence on Denyelle Drive, according to police.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Best for Mature Skin: Merit Bronze Balm Sheer Sculpting Bronzer Every shade of this stick has neutral undertones, so no need to worry about icky orange vibes—a victory for fair skin types.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Best picks are crisp and luscious Romaine leaves, robust kale that stands up to behemoth burgers, red-leafed radicchio with a nice bitter kick, sweet and delicate butter lettuce, classic iceberg, or roasted nori seaweed sheets.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 July 2025
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Same goes for the lettuce: Romaine, green leaf, or even iceberg would be great, too.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20fish. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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