As cold as any stone

Definitions

• to describe someone or something as emotionless or unfeeling
  To emphasize the lack of warmth, empathy or compassion in someone's behavior or actions, often in a negative or critical manner.

• to describe a physical sensation of extreme coldness
  To describe a feeling of intense coldness, often used in reference to weather or temperatures.

• to describe a situation or environment as unwelcoming or hostile
  To describe a situation or environment as unwelcoming, unfriendly or hostile, often used to express discomfort or unease.

Examples of As cold as any stone

• She gave me the cold shoulder last night, as cold as any stone.

  This idiom is used to describe someone who is completely unresponsive or unfriendly towards you, as if they are as cold and unfeeling as a stone. In this example, the speaker is saying that the person's behavior towards them was as unfeeling and unresponsive as a stone, which is very cold and unyielding.

• The air conditioning in this room is as cold as any stone.

  This idiom is used to describe something that is extremely cold or unyielding. In this example, the speaker is saying that the air conditioning in the room is as cold and unyielding as a stone, which is very extreme and extreme cold.

• The ice sculpture in the garden was as cold as any stone.

  This idiom is used to describe something that is extremely cold or unyielding. In this example, the speaker is saying that the ice sculpture in the garden was as cold and unyielding as a stone, which is very extreme and extreme cold.

• The silence in the room was as cold as any stone.

  This idiom is used to describe something that is extremely quiet or unyielding. In this example, the speaker is saying that the silence in the room was as cold and unyielding as a stone, which is very extreme and extreme quiet.

• The atmosphere in the room was as cold as any stone.

  This idiom is used to describe something that is extremely cold or unyielding. In this example, the speaker is saying that the atmosphere in the room was as cold and unyielding as a stone, which is very extreme and extreme cold.

Conclusion

The idiom "as cold as any stone" is used to convey a lack of emotion, intense coldness, or an unwelcoming environment. It is often used in a negative or critical manner to describe someone or something as unfeeling, unemotional, or unapproachable.

Origin of "As cold as any stone"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman mythology, where the god of the underworld, Hades, was often depicted as cold and unfeeling. This association with coldness and lack of emotion may have influenced the use of this idiom.

Another possible origin could be from the phrase "stone cold," which means completely cold or lifeless. This phrase has been used since the 1300s and could have evolved into "as cold as any stone" over time.

The use of stones to represent coldness can also be seen in literature and poetry, such as in Shakespeare's play "Titus Andronicus" where a character says "I am as cold as cold can be, / And never love another." This usage further reinforces the idea of stones being associated with coldness and lack of emotion.

In conclusion, the origin of the idiom "as cold as any stone" may have roots in ancient mythology, evolved from the phrase "stone cold," and is also influenced by the use of stones as a symbol for coldness in literature and poetry.