Cold hearted

Meaning

The idiom "cold-hearted" is used to describe someone who lacks warmth, kindness or compassion, often towards others. It can also refer to a person who is emotionally distant and unresponsive.

Usage

• She was cold-hearted towards her friend when he needed help.
• The company's management was cold-hearted in their decision to lay off employees.
• He was cold-hearted towards his ex-girlfriend, refusing to acknowledge their breakup or offer any support.
• She was accused of being cold-hearted when she refused to help her neighbor with their baby shower.
• The politician was perceived as cold-hearted by the public for not addressing the issues of poverty and inequality.

Roots and History

The earliest known use of the phrase "cold-hearted" dates back to the early 17th century, with its first recorded appearance in a collection of proverbs from Scotland in 1634. Over time, the meaning of the idiom has remained relatively consistent, although it may have evolved slightly to include a wider range of emotions beyond just "cold" or "unresponsive".

Synonyms in English

• Heartless
• Indifferent
• Unemotional
• Emotionally detached
• Insensitive

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: Frío de corazón
• French: Froid d'hiver
• German: Kälteherz
• Italian: Fioco di cuore
• Portuguese: Frio de coração

Similar Idioms

• at daggers drawn

• bite tongue

• red-handed