For centuries, the body’s blood has been linked closely with the emotions (情绪). People who show no human emotions or feelings, are said to be “cold-blooded”. For example, the police are searching for a cold-blooded killer. He seems to kill for no reason and no emotion, as if taking someone’s life as nothing.
Cold can influence other parts of the body. However, the expression “get cold feet” has nothing to do with cold or your feet. The expression means being afraid to do something you have decided to do. For example, you agree to be president of an organization. But then you learn that all the other members have resigned (辞职), and all the work of the organization will be your responsibility. You are likely to get cold feet about being president when you understand the situation.
The expression “give someone the cold shoulder” probably comes from the physical act of turning your back toward someone, instead of speaking to him face to face. You may give a cold shoulder to a friend who has not kept a promise. Or, to someone who has lied about you to others.
“A cold fish” is not a fish. It is a person. But it is a person who is unfriendly, and shows no love or warmth. A cold fish does not offer much of himself to anyone. Someone who is a cold fish could be “cold-hearted”. Now a cold-hearted person is someone who has no sympathy. Several popular songs in recent years were about cold-hearted men or cold-hearted women who, without feelings, broke the hearts of their lovers.
“Out in the cold” means not getting something that everybody else got. A person might say that everybody except him got a pay raise (涨工资). He was left out in the cold. And it is not a pleasant place to be in.
5. When you refuse to speak to a friend lying to you, you may express by “________”.
A.I give him the cold shoulder | B.I think he is a cold-blooded man |
C.I think he is a cold fish | D.I’m likely to get cold feet |
6. If Sue shows absolutely no feelings to those pictures of poor hungry children in Africa, what will you say?
A.She is a cold fish. | B.She is out in the cold. |
C.She is a cold-blooded killer. | D.She gets cold feet. |
7. Which expression can we use to describe a man hurting his lover without mercy?
A.Cold-blooded. | B.Cold shoulder. | C.Cold feet. | D.Cold-hearted. |
8. How many expressions related to the word “cold” are mentioned in the passage?