When preparing for the IELTS exam, understanding idiomatic expressions like “give the cold shoulder” can significantly enhance your language skills. This phrase, along with its synonyms and related expressions, often appears in both the Speaking and Writing sections of the exam. In this article, we’ll delve into the meaning, usage, and relevance of “give the cold shoulder” and its related phrases.
Meaning and Usage of “Give the Cold Shoulder”
Definition
Give the cold shoulder (idiom) means to deliberately ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly manner.
Phonetic Pronunciation: /ɡɪv ðə koʊld ˈʃoʊldər/
Examples and Analysis
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Example: After their argument, John decided to give Mary the cold shoulder at the party.
- Analysis: John is ignoring or avoiding Mary intentionally because of their argument.
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Example: When I arrived late, everyone gave me the cold shoulder.
- Analysis: The others in the group are deliberately ignoring the speaker due to their tardiness.
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Example: She gave him the cold shoulder after he forgot her birthday.
- Analysis: She is upset and chooses to ignore him because he forgot her birthday.
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Example: They gave the new policy the cold shoulder.
- Analysis: “They” are disregarding or not supporting the new policy.
By analyzing these examples, it’s clear that this idiom is used to describe situations where someone is intentionally ignored or given unfriendly treatment.
Relevance in the IELTS Exam
Frequency in IELTS
Idiomatic expressions such as “give the cold shoulder” can appear in both the Writing and Speaking sections of the IELTS exam. Understanding and correctly using idioms can demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency.
Common Queries
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How often are idioms used in IELTS Speaking?
- Idioms are not frequently required, but their correct usage can show advanced language skills.
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Can idioms be used in the Writing section?
- Use idioms judiciously in formal writing tasks. They are more suitable for informal parts of the Writing section, such as Task 1 (personal letters).
Examples from IELTS Practice
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Speaking: Describe a time when you had an argument with a friend. You might say, “After our argument, he gave me the cold shoulder for a week.”
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Writing Task 2: Discuss a time when you received an unfriendly reception. Example sentence: “Despite my efforts to reconcile, my colleagues gave me the cold shoulder, which made the environment quite tense.”
Collocations and Phrases
Common Collocations
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Give + the (cold) shoulder
- Example: She decided to give the cold shoulder after he betrayed her trust.
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Receive + the (cold) shoulder
- Example: He received the cold shoulder from his peers after making the controversial decision.
Related Idioms and Synonyms
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Ignore (verb): refuse to acknowledge.
- Example: They chose to ignore his contribution to the project.
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Snub (verb): to treat with disdain or contempt.
- Example: She snubbed him by not inviting him to the party.
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Brush off (phrasal verb): dismiss someone abruptly.
- Example: He brushed me off when I tried to discuss the issue.
Related Idioms
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Cut someone dead: To ignore someone completely.
- Example: The twins cut each other dead after a huge fight.
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Turn a blind eye: To pretend not to notice.
- Example: The manager turned a blind eye to the staff’s complaints.
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Give someone the silent treatment: To purposely ignore someone by not speaking to them.
- Example: After our disagreement, she gave me the silent treatment for days.
Conclusion
Understanding and using idiomatic expressions like “give the cold shoulder” can greatly enhance your IELTS performance, especially in the Speaking and Writing sections. This guide has provided a detailed analysis, examples, and related expressions to help you integrate this idiom naturally into your responses.
Practicing these idioms in context will help you become more comfortable with their usage, leading to better performance in your IELTS exam. Happy studying!