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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Going off the drugs cold turkey, as Parker Posey’s character does, could lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms in real life.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
19 Mar. 2025
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If Fox’s balance sheet allows it to be relatively unbothered by the threat of a pharma ban, the more vested networks aren’t exactly gearing up for cold turkey withdrawal pains.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
As if lazy days on a boat and spaghetti with clams were somehow un-Tuscan.—
Lee Marshall,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2025
-
The Avs are happy as clams with Mackenzie Blackwood, who’s 28 and blocks out the sun.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The previous two pucks that got by Pickard came off Moore’s stick.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Taylor appeared to provide her team with a two-goal cushion on a curl around the right post with 1:35 left, but her stick hit Maryland senior defender Sophie Halus on the head, and the goal was waived off after video review.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The iceberg, named A-84, broke away from the George VI Ice Shelf, one of the massive floating glaciers attached to the Antarctic Peninsula.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
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But four days later, about 400 miles off the coast of Canada, the ship struck an iceberg, broke in half and sank.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20fish. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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