Phrase guide

cold as a mackerel

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Very cold (in temperature, emotionally, etc.).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Qualifier: simile

Examples

  • 1920, Fire Service (Official organ of the Fire Marshals’ Association of North America, and Eastern Association of Superintendents of Fire and Police Telegraph), 6 March, 1920, p. 7, “I tell you, Governor, that in those days they weren’t ashamed to have a little good liquor around to warm the insides of a man weary and as cold as a mackerel from an all night job.”

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stone cold

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Completely unconscious.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: out cold

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.