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Cold comfort
01
sympathy, help, or encouragement that is barely enough to improve a person's situation or make them feel any better
Idiom
Grammatical Information
animacy status
abstract
Composition
Compound
uncountable
What is the origin of the idiom "cold comfort" and when to use it?
The idiom "cold comfort" refers to a situation where something may provide a small amount of relief or consolation but ultimately fails to offer true comfort or solace. It describes a situation where the consolation or reassurance provided is insufficient to alleviate the distress or disappointment being experienced. It describes a situation where the consolation or reassurance provided is insufficient to alleviate the distress or disappointment being experienced.
Examples
After failing the exam, the teacher 's reassurance that " at least you tried your best " felt like cold comfort to the disappointed student.
