cold shoulder

"to give someone the cold shoulder"

definition: to give someone an unfriendly welcome.

example: "I asked my friends to loan me money, but my idea was met with the cold shoulder".

origin: In England, a welcome or important visitor would be served a delicious hot meal. A guest "who had outstayed his welcome, or an ordinary traveller" would get a cold shoulder of mutton.

Alternative: The shoulder of beef is a less desirable cut. Serving a cold piece of beef shoulder to your guests is a message that they are not welcome in your home.

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