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You may have heard somebody using the term “cold hearted”, as it is a frequent idiom used in the English language. However, the meaning of the term might be unclear. We are going to discover the meaning as well as looking at where the saying first came from. We are also going to view some examples of how the term can work within the conversation.
“Cold Hearted” Meaning, Origin and Usage
Key Takeaways
- The phrase “cold-hearted” refers to someone who is emotionally detached, unfeeling, or lacking compassion. It describes a person who is indifferent to the suffering or emotions of others, often acting without empathy or care for their feelings.
“Cold Hearted” Meaning
The phrase “cold-hearted” describes someone who is emotionally unresponsive, unsympathetic, or lacking in compassion. A cold-hearted person may be indifferent to the feelings of others, often appearing aloof or detached. The term can be used to characterize someone who behaves cruelly or heartlessly, especially in situations that typically call for empathy or kindness.
Examples:
- “He made a cold-hearted decision to lay off workers without any consideration for their families.”
- “Her cold-hearted remarks during the argument hurt everyone involved.”
Origin of the Idiomatic Phrase
The phrase “cold-hearted” originates from the literal association of “cold” with a lack of warmth or affection and “hearted” relating to emotions. It has been used since at least the late 16th century to describe individuals who lack compassion or empathy.
Usage of “Cold Hearted”
- Describing someone’s lack of empathy:
“It was cold-hearted of him to ignore her when she was clearly upset.”
- In a business context:
“The company made a cold-hearted decision to lay off employees right before the holidays.”
- Referring to a person’s behavior:
“She gave him a cold-hearted response when he asked for help, showing no sympathy at all.”
- Talking about an action:
“His cold-hearted refusal to apologize hurt everyone involved.”
Related Terms to “Cold Hearted”
- Unfeeling – lacking sensitivity or emotion.
- Heartless – showing no compassion or kindness.
- Callous – emotionally insensitive or cruel.
- Apathetic – showing or feeling no interest or concern; indifferent.
- Insensitive – lacking awareness of the feelings of others; not compassionate.
- Cruel – willfully causing pain or suffering to others.
- Emotionally detached – lacking an emotional connection or investment.
- Hard-hearted – lacking compassion or sympathy.
- Stone-hearted – showing no emotional warmth or compassion.
- Stern – showing a serious or strict demeanor, often without warmth.
Other Ways to Say the Idiom
There are plenty of other phrases you could use to express the meaning of the term cold hearted. Some of these are listed below.
List of synonyms for “cold hearted”:
- Emotionally unavailable
- Emotionless
- Cold blooded
- Without a heart
- Black heart
“Cold Hearted” Examples
Example Sentences
We are now going to take a look at some examples of how the phrase cold hearted can be used within a sentence.
The first example is a sentence taken from a letter of complaint.
- I found the doctor to be very cold hearted and not understanding how we felt.
The next statement is one being made by a mother to her daughter on the death of her friend’s cat.
- You might not like cats but there is no need to be so cold-hearted; clearly, your friend is upset.
Conversation Examples
The saying cold-hearted may be heard in many different conversational contexts. Here are some examples of conversations which feature the phrase, to show how it is used.
The first is a conversation taking place between a husband and wife.
- Person 1: “Did you hear that Sally lost her job?”
- Person 2: “Yes, she deserved it, she’s an awful woman.”
- Person 1: “Don’t be so cold hearted, she’s got a family to feed.”
The next conversation is happening between two nurses in a hospital.
- Person 1: “I’m so tired of all these patients complaining.”
- Person 2: “You are so cold-hearted, they aren’t well.”
Other examples:
- She is a cold-hearted person who does not really care about your situation.
- I carried with me for years a vague impression that he was a cold-hearted man.
- That sounds cold-hearted, but the pain is a necessary part of this correction.
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