as cold as stone

A

as cold as stone (simile)
/æz koʊld æz stoʊn/

Meaning

1. Describes a person who is completely devoid of emotion, empathy, or warmth.
2. Denotes a state of being extremely cold, akin to the temperature of a stone.
3. Indicates a total lack of kindness, emotion, sympathy or warmth.

Example Sentences

1. After hearing the tragic news, she remained as cold as stone, showing no visible reaction.
2. The abandoned house felt as cold as stone, even in the summer months.
3. Despite his pleas, her heart was as cold as stone, and she refused to forgive him.
4. The sculpture’s surface was as cold as stone, chilling to the touch.
5. His as cold as stone demeanor made it difficult for others to approach him.

Origin and History

The phrase “as cold as stone” has been utilized in English literature to convey both literal and figurative coldness. One of the earliest recorded uses is found in William Shakespeare’s play Henry V (1598), Act II, Scene III, where a character describes a deceased person:

“I put my hand into the bed and felt them, and they were as cold as any stone.”

This usage illustrates the association of stones with coldness, emphasizing the lifelessness of the individual.

Evolution of Related Expressions

The concept of attributing coldness to stones predates Shakespeare. Expressions like “stone-cold,” “stone-dead,” and “stone-blind” have been part of the English language, alluding to the inert and unfeeling nature of stones. These terms emphasize absoluteness—being entirely cold, dead, or blind. The Oxford English Dictionary cites the earliest known use of “stone-cold” in the late 1500s, specifically in 1592, in the writings of Nicholas Breton.

Metaphorical Significance

Beyond describing temperature, “as cold as stone” evolved to depict emotional coldness or lack of empathy. This metaphor draws on the perception of stones as lifeless and unresponsive objects, effectively conveying a sense of unfeeling or detached demeanor.

Earliest Printed Records

While Shakespeare’s Henry V provides a notable early instance, the exact origin of the phrase remains uncertain. Some citations refer to expresions like “cold, deaf, and blind as a stone” dating back to the 1400s, indicating that the metaphorical use of “stone” to denote coldness or insensitivity has deep roots in the English language.

Conclusion

The phrase “as cold as stone” has a longstanding presence in English, symbolizing both physical coldness and emotional detachment. Its enduring usage underscores the effectiveness of the stone metaphor in conveying notions of coldness and insensitivity.

Variants

• stone-cold
• cold as a stone
• stone-cold sober
• stone-cold dead

Synonyms

1. as cold as ice
2. as cold as marble
3. as cold as a glacier
4. as cold as steel
5. as cold as the grave

Cold, Emotion