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
-
That’s why quitting cold turkey can be difficult and ineffective for someone used to frequently vaping high doses of nicotine.—
Quispe López,
Them,
3 Feb. 2025
-
But cutting Big Russ forced the Broncos to go cold turkey in record time, to eat a ton of cap money and go young all over the place.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Other species, including Pacific herring, Dungeness crab, Pismo clam, market squid, California spiny lobster, and pink shrimp, may also reach critical vulnerability levels if climate impacts intensify.—
Jenny Lehmann,
Discover Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Menu items include sea urchin bruschettas, fresh clams, and oodles of oysters, all served on communal wooden tables overlooking the vineyards.—
Travel + Leisure Staff,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Additional core features on both guitars include multiple connectivity options — wired, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth — and an eight-button navigation hub, an analog stick for menu navigation, and a Hall-effect whammy bar for enhanced durability.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
For me, a Neko rig with a soft plastic stick bait is one of those mainstays.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But this was just the tip of her experiential iceberg and is followed by a private tour of the famous monument, guided by Dr. PBS Sengar, former director of the Archeological Survey of India, the agency that maintains the nation’s historic sites, including the Taj Mahal.—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
This is just the tip of the savings iceberg, though.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cold fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cold%20fish. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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