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
-
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
-
The boutiques, surf shops, and cafes are easier to explore, and those iconic clam chowder bowls?—
Cliff Lewis,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Other choices are clam chowder ($2.22, $2.92), French onion ($2.92).—
Jeff Kleinman,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Garden clogs especially are the unsung heroes of gardens coast to coast, easy to quickly slip on for hours of cushy comfort while keeping feet safe from sticks, stones, and slick surfaces.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Afterward, as the crowd roared and his teammates rapped their sticks on the boards, Ovechkin took a lap around the ice in the spotlight.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
His focus moves to the small iceberg painting on his office wall, his body casting a stark silhouette against the window.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2025
-
There are no icebergs in the ship’s path, and the voyage was slow and steady.—
Rick Helfenbein,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20fish. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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