''Leave Hanging'' or ''Give the cold shoulder''?
Well, I've just come across these two expressions, and I just can't tell the difference between them!
I wonder if I could use any of them to say that ''someone completely ignored me''.
For example, in the sentence ''I asked her a question, and she just ignored me!'', could I also say:
a) ''I asked her a question, and she just left me hanging''
b) ''I asked her a question, and she just gave me the cold shoulder''
?
So, I'd be glad if someone could help me out! Thanks in advance.
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 6
3
They are very similar but have slightly different meanings. "Giving the cold shoulder" usually means that the person not responding to you is deliberately ignoring you because they're angry with you about something. "Leaving you hanging" just means that they're ignoring you for any reason.
2
"leave someone hanging". to keep someone waiting for your decision or answer:
I was left hanging, waiting for the college to tell me whether I got a scholarship or not.
"Give sb the cold shoulder" means to deliberately ignore someone or be unfriendly to them.
After I got the promotion, a few of my co-workers started giving me the cold shoulder.
Based on Longman and Cambridge dictionary.
0
Slightly different in meaning. Cold shoulder is more deliberate, turning away and ignoring you and your question. Left you hanging is more not replying to the question with a clear yes or no, but not cutting off the conversation. Hope this helps.
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