give someone the cold shoulder

(verb) to be unfriendly to someone on purpose

Example Sentences:

Wife: Why do you always give my mother the cold shoulder when she comes to visit us?
Husband: Because she always criticizes me!

I don’t like my homestay mother, because she is always giving me the cold shoulder.

The angry father gave his 15 year-old daughter’s new boyfriend the cold shoulder because he thought she was too young to have a boyfriend.

From the News:

Toronto gives Miss Universe cold shoulder

Media:

Similar idioms:

1. put one’s shoulder to the wheel
2. go cold turkey
3. have a chip on one’s shoulder
4. throw cold water on
5. give someone the go ahead
6. cold feet
7. bring up
8. lame
9. spitting image
10. give up