PhrasesHub

Left out in the cold

    Definitions

      • feeling excluded or neglected
        Expressing the feeling of being ignored or not included in a group or activity

      • abandoned or isolated
        Describing a situation where someone is left without help or support, feeling isolated and alone

    Examples of Left out in the cold

    • Sarah's best friends moved to a different city without telling her. She felt completely left out in the cold and didn't know how to react.

      When people say that someone is left out in the cold, they mean that person has been excluded or ignored in a situation where they would normally be included. Sarah's friends moving away suddenly without communicating with her made her feel like an outcast, and she didn't have any advance warning or opportunity to say goodbye.

    • The new marketing campaign was a flop, and the company's sales plummeted. Their biggest clients left them, leaving the company struggling to make ends meet.

      Companies can also be left out in the cold when they lose a major client or customer, leaving them with an unexpected shortfall in revenue. In this example, the company had become reliant on a few key clients, and when those clients left, it left the company exposed and vulnerable.

    • After a disagreement with her sister, Emily declined an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner. Her sister felt hurt and left out in the cold as Emily chose not to attend the family gathering.

      The idea of being left out in the cold can be applied to personal relationships, too. If someone feels excluded from an event or ignored by a friend or family member, they may feel like they are left out in the cold, especially if they had previously expected to be included.

    • When the company restructured, several senior executives were let go unexpectedly. Their positions were filled by younger, less experienced employees, leaving the older staff feeling left out in the cold and disillusioned with the company's future prospects.

      Being left out in the cold can also relate to work and careers. In this example, the sudden departure of senior executives left gaps in the company's management structure that were filled by younger, less experienced staff. This could leave the older employees feeling like they are no longer valued or needed, possibly prompting them to start looking for new opportunities elsewhere.

    • Sarah had always been a close friend to Emily, but when Emily announced her engagement, Sarah suddenly found herself left out in the cold. Emily stopped returning her calls and excluded her from all the wedding planning. Sarah felt hurt and rejected.

      The phrase "left out in the cold" is a figurative idiom that describes feeling isolated, excluded, and ignored. It suggests being left out of a warm and comfortable situation, and implies a sense of rejection and emotional distance. In this example, Sarah was once a close friend to Emily, but suddenly found herself isolated from her friend's life and wedding plans, leaving her feeling rejected and alone. The metaphorical coldness of the situation reflects the emotional distance between Sarah and Emily, highlighting the extent of Sarah's exclusion from Emily's life.

    • The small business owner watched as his competitors received lucrative contracts, leaving him out in the cold. He couldn't understand why his proposals were being ignored, despite his long history of success in the industry.

      This example uses the idiom "left out in the cold" to describe a business situation where an individual or company feels excluded or overlooked. It suggests a lack of opportunities or success, resulting in a sense of isolation and rejection. In this example, the business owner is experiencing the emotional coldness of rejection in the highly competitive business industry, as his competitors receive lucrative contracts instead of him. The metaphorical coldness reflects the emotional distance between the business owner and the lucrative opportunities, highlighting the extent of his exclusion from the industry's success.

    • After the business meeting, Jane felt left out in the cold as her colleagues huddled together, discussing their plans without including her. She tried to join in, but her suggestions were dismissed, leaving her feeling isolated and ignored.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom "left out in the cold" can be used in a professional setting to describe a sense of exclusion and isolation. It suggests a lack of participation or involvement in a group or team, leaving an individual feeling emotionally disconnected from the rest of the group. In this example, Jane's colleagues formed a tight group, leaving her feeling isolated and ignored. The metaphorical coldness of the situation reflects the emotional distance between Jane and her colleagues, highlighting the extent of her exclusion from the group's discussions and decisions.

    • Sarah's ex-boyfriend suddenly stopped answering her calls and texts. She tried reaching out to him multiple times, but he never responded. As a result, Sarah started feeling left out in the cold, as if she wasn't important enough for him to even acknowledge her existence.

      In this example, Sarah is figuratively left out in the cold because she has been excluded from her ex-boyfriend's life. She is being ignored and feels like she is being abandoned or rejected, similar to how someone might feel if they were left outside in cold weather, with no shelter or warmth.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "left out in the cold" can be used to express the feeling of being excluded or neglected, or to describe a situation where someone is abandoned or isolated, without help or support. It is often used in social contexts to convey the sense of being left out or ignored, or in more serious situations where someone is truly isolated and without assistance.

    Origin of "Left out in the cold"

    The origin of the idiom "left out in the cold" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated from the literal experience of being left outside in cold weather, without any protection or warmth. This physical sensation of being isolated and exposed to the elements has been metaphorically translated into the feeling of being excluded or neglected in social or emotional contexts. The idiom has been in use for many years and is commonly used in English-speaking countries to convey the sense of being left out or abandoned.

    One possible explanation for the origin of the idiom is that it may have originated from the practice of leaving unwanted or unimportant individuals outside in the cold, while the more important or favored individuals were invited inside. Over time, this literal practice evolved into the figurative meaning of being excluded or neglected. Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom "left out in the cold" has become a widely used expression to convey the feeling of being ignored or abandoned.