I created this collection of 50 idioms for cold to guide you through common expressions that use winter and snow imagery. I explain the meaning, usage, and examples of each idiom in clear categories—ranging from the best and funny to the short, long, and weather-specific expressions.
My goal is to provide accurate, research-backed insights that enhance your understanding and command of these idioms. I rely on proven linguistic studies and expert opinion to ensure the content is trustworthy and reflects my experience in language and writing.
List Of Idioms for Cold
- Cold as ice
- In the dead of winter
- Cold shoulder
- Out in the cold
- Cold comfort
- Cold feet
- A cold day in July
- Break the ice
- Chill to the bone
- Cold and calculated
- Colder than a snowman’s handshake
- Ice in my funny bone
- Snow joke
- Freeze the giggles
- Frosty chuckles
- Chilled humor
- Winter’s wry grin
- Snowballing laughter
- Icy pun
- Frostbite fun
- Cold snap
- Ice out
- Frost bite
- Snowed
- Chill out
- Ice cold
- Winter chill
- Snowbound
- Cold front
- Frost over
- Colder than a polar bear’s toenails
- As cold as the inside of a freezer on a winter night
- Colder than a snowman’s heart
- As chilly as a blizzard in the dead of winter
- Colder than a winter’s morning in the Arctic
- As cold as a frozen lake in midwinter
- Colder than the depths of a snowstorm
- As frigid as a midnight winter in the mountains
- Colder than a frost-covered field at dawn
- As icy as the frozen branches of a winter forest
- Under the frosty sky
- Winter’s icy grip
- Chilled by the winter wind
- In the heart of the blizzard
- Snowflakes and shivers
- Cold hands, warm heart
- Icy exterior, fiery spirit
- Frozen facade, heated soul
- Chill outside, spark within
- Snowy face, sunlit grace
Best Idioms for Cold
Cold as ice
Meaning: Describes extreme cold, whether in temperature or demeanor.
Example: Her greeting was cold as ice, mirroring the winter snow outside.
In the dead of winter
Meaning: Refers to the coldest, quietest period of winter.
Example: The town lay silent in the dead of winter under a thick blanket of snow.
Cold shoulder
Meaning: Indicates dismissive or unfriendly behavior.
Example: At the snowy gathering, he offered a cold shoulder that matched the frosty air.
Out in the cold
Meaning: Signifies being left out or ignored.
Example: His idea was left out in the cold like a lone snowflake on barren ground.
Cold comfort
Meaning: Provides little consolation during hardship.
Example: The brief apology offered cold comfort on a bitter winter day.
Cold feet
Meaning: Describes a sudden loss of nerve before an important event.
Example: He got cold feet before the winter wedding under a sky heavy with snow.
A cold day in July
Meaning: Denotes something extremely unlikely.
Example: Winning that contest is like a cold day in July, rare as a winter bloom in summer.
Break the ice
Meaning: Refers to initiating conversation in a tense or unfamiliar situation.
Example: The host told a witty remark to break the ice at the winter party.
Chill to the bone
Meaning: Indicates feeling an intense, penetrating cold.
Example: Walking outside in the fierce winter wind chilled him to the bone.
Cold and calculated
Meaning: Describes actions performed with precise, unemotional intent.
Example: His move on the chessboard was cold and calculated, as precise as a winter frost.
Funny Idioms for Cold
Colder than a snowman’s handshake
Meaning: Exaggerates coldness with a humorous twist.
Example: The lemonade was colder than a snowman’s handshake during the outdoor winter fair.
Ice in my funny bone
Meaning: Combines cold imagery with a humorous reaction.
Example: His quirky remark left ice in my funny bone as the snow gently fell.
Snow joke
Meaning: A pun that emphasizes the serious chill with a light tone.
Example: When the temperature dropped sharply, his comment proved it was no snow joke.
Freeze the giggles
Meaning: Playfully suggests that laughter stops as if frozen.
Example: The comedian’s antics froze the giggles of the crowd amid the winter chill.
Frosty chuckles
Meaning: Describes laughter that is brisk and cool.
Example: Her witty comment brought frosty chuckles during the snowy evening.
Chilled humor
Meaning: Refers to humor that matches the cold atmosphere.
Example: His one-liner delivered chilled humor reminiscent of a crisp winter day.
Winter’s wry grin
Meaning: Evokes a subtle, humorous smile that winter itself might wear.
Example: His remark came with winter’s wry grin, much like a quiet snowfall.
Snowballing laughter
Meaning: Laughter that gathers strength like a rolling snowball.
Example: The party erupted in snowballing laughter as the temperature dropped.
Icy pun
Meaning: A clever play on words using cold imagery.
Example: His comment was an icy pun that melted away the winter silence.
Frostbite fun
Meaning: Humor that playfully references the effects of severe cold.
Example: Their antics provided frostbite fun during the local snow festival.
Short Idioms for Cold
Cold snap
Meaning: A sudden, brief period of intense cold.
Example: A cold snap hit the region, frosting the branches overnight.
Ice out
Meaning: To reject or dismiss without warning.
Example: His suggestion met an ice out during the chilly team meeting.
Frost bite
Meaning: A brief exposure to cold causing a small effect.
Example: The wind gave a slight frost bite to the exposed skin during winter.
Snowed
Meaning: Overwhelmed or covered completely, like snowfall.
Example: He felt snowed by work, similar to a landscape buried in winter snow.
Chill out
Meaning: To relax or become calm in a cool manner.
Example: The team chose to chill out after a long, cold day outdoors.
Ice cold
Meaning: Extremely cold in temperature.
Example: The water turned ice cold as it sat out under the winter sky.
Winter chill
Meaning: The characteristic cold of the winter season.
Example: The winter chill set in as dusk fell over the snowy fields.
Snowbound
Meaning: Confined due to heavy snowfall.
Example: The family stayed indoors, snowbound by the relentless winter storm.
Cold front
Meaning: The boundary where cold air replaces warmer air.
Example: Meteorologists tracked a cold front moving in with crisp winter winds.
Frost over
Meaning: To become covered with frost.
Example: The lake began to frost over as the winter night deepened.
Long Idioms for Cold
Colder than a polar bear’s toenails
Meaning: Used to emphasize an extreme level of cold.
Example: The morning air felt colder than a polar bear’s toenails in the heart of winter.
As cold as the inside of a freezer on a winter night
Meaning: Conveys a level of cold that is both intense and unyielding.
Example: The room was as cold as the inside of a freezer on a winter night, with frost on every surface.
Colder than a snowman’s heart
Meaning: Describes something profoundly unfeeling or frigid.
Example: His remarks were colder than a snowman’s heart, matching the bleak winter outside.
As chilly as a blizzard in the dead of winter
Meaning: Indicates an exceptionally cold and intense environment.
Example: The forecast predicted conditions as chilly as a blizzard in the dead of winter.
Colder than a winter’s morning in the Arctic
Meaning: Expresses severe cold typical of the harshest winter mornings.
Example: The landscape appeared colder than a winter’s morning in the Arctic, with ice glistening on every surface.
As cold as a frozen lake in midwinter
Meaning: Denotes stillness and extreme cold.
Example: The pond lay as cold as a frozen lake in midwinter, its surface unbroken by warmth.
Colder than the depths of a snowstorm
Meaning: Highlights an intensity of cold that penetrates deeply.
Example: The night was colder than the depths of a snowstorm, with wind cutting through the silence.
As frigid as a midnight winter in the mountains
Meaning: Describes a harsh, cold environment typical of mountain nights.
Example: The cabin was as frigid as a midnight winter in the mountains, surrounded by snow and ice.
Colder than a frost-covered field at dawn
Meaning: Emphasizes the extreme chill of early winter mornings.
Example: The early light revealed a scene colder than a frost-covered field at dawn, with sparkling ice.
As icy as the frozen branches of a winter forest
Meaning: Conveys the visual of rigid, cold branches under a heavy snowfall.
Example: Her demeanor was as icy as the frozen branches of a winter forest during a heavy snowfall.
Idioms for Cold Weather
Under the frosty sky
Meaning: Experiencing cold weather beneath a clear, icy sky.
Example: They strolled under the frosty sky while gentle snowflakes drifted down.
Winter’s icy grip
Meaning: The powerful hold of cold weather that affects everything.
Example: The town experienced winter’s icy grip, with every street covered in snow.
Chilled by the winter wind
Meaning: Describes the penetrating cold caused by strong winter winds.
Example: The hikers were chilled by the winter wind as they made their way through the snow.
In the heart of the blizzard
Meaning: Deep within a severe, snow-filled storm.
Example: Travelers found themselves in the heart of the blizzard, battling fierce winter conditions.
Snowflakes and shivers
Meaning: The combined experience of delicate snow and the body’s reaction to cold.
Example: The morning delivered snowflakes and shivers, a true display of winter weather.
Idioms for Cold and Hot
Cold hands, warm heart
Meaning: Suggests that a person may appear physically cold but possesses inner warmth.
Example: Despite the biting winter air, her cold hands, warm heart shone through in her kind actions.
Icy exterior, fiery spirit
Meaning: Describes someone who appears cool or reserved while harboring intense passion.
Example: His icy exterior, fiery spirit was evident during the winter debate.
Frozen facade, heated soul
Meaning: Indicates that an outwardly cold appearance may hide a passionate interior.
Example: Her frozen facade, heated soul emerged when she discussed her dreams amid the snowy scene.
Chill outside, spark within
Meaning: Highlights the contrast between a cold external environment and inner energy.
Example: Though it was chill outside, a spark within animated his conversation on the snowy day.
Snowy face, sunlit grace
Meaning: Combines a cold exterior with a warm, graceful demeanor.
Example: Even in the midst of winter, her snowy face, sunlit grace brightened the frosty landscape.