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
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
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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Here’s what to know about stopping a GLP-1, including the potential side effects of quitting cold turkey, and how to come up with a tapering plan with your doctor.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Flow Space,
5 Aug. 2025
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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
Noun
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Exercises like wall-sits, clam shells, step-ups, and Romanian deadlifts target the knees and surrounding muscles to improve strength and stability.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
2 Sep. 2025
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The menu features flatbreads, sandwiches and appetizers such as French dip sliders and Boston favorites, including clam chowder and lobster rolls.—
David J. Bohnet,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Taking butter from a charming dish at breakfast feels warmer and more intentional than peeling back the wrapper on a cold stick from the fridge.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
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That sort of body type — not stick-thin, per se, but thin and muscular — is most usually found in white, northern European women, Wachs said.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Scambos says this is part of the normal life cycle of icebergs, something that's been happening for millennia, and doesn't appear to be part of climate change.—
Kat Lonsdorf,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
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Meijers explained the circumstances that led to the iceberg’s breakup.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20fish. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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