
A cold fish
Colloquial Use
The phrase is informal and best used in casual conversation or creative writing, not in formal settings.

When he didn't bother to greet us, I realized he was a bit of a cold fish.
Emotional Distance
Implies a lack of emotional warmth or interest in others' feelings, not just general unfriendliness.

Even after the good news, she acted like a cold fish, barely smiling.
Subtle Negative
Using 'a cold fish' subtly communicates a negative judgment about someone's social behavior.

The new manager is a cold fish; he never joins in on the team lunches.
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