cold comfort

英 [ˌkəʊld ˈkʌmfət]

美 [ˌkoʊld ˈkʌmfərt]

n.  于事无补的安慰; 不起作用的慰藉

牛津词典

noun

• 于事无补的安慰；不起作用的慰藉
  the fact that sth that would normally be good does not make you happy because the whole situation is bad
  1. A small drop in the inflation rate was cold comfort for the millions without a job.
     对数百万失业者来说，通货膨胀率的微降是不起作用的安慰。

柯林斯词典

• N-UNCOUNT 不起作用的安慰
  If you say that a slightly encouraging fact or event iscold comfort tosomeone, you mean that it gives them little or no comfort because their situation is so difficult or unpleasant.
  1. These figures may look good on paper but are cold comfort to the islanders themselves.
     这些数字理论上看来可能不错，不过对岛民们起不到安慰的作用。

英英释义

noun

• very limited consolation or empathy
  1. he told me that time heals all wounds but that was cold comfort to me

双语例句

• Dear S.O.S.: Cold comfort though it may be, you and your coworkers are part of a growing national trend.
  亲爱的S.O.S.：尽管这样的安慰有些苍白，但你与同事的情况并非个例，在美国正呈现日益增长的趋势。
• The two appliances can help rural residents against the extreme cold, but indoor thermal comfort is still poor during winter.
  这两种设施虽帮助农户抵御了极度的寒冷，但冬季室内的热舒适性仍然很差。
• According to the result, in a certain height range, nozzle installation is lower, and the cold air diffuse more far, air distribution is more uniform, thermal comfort is the better in the workplace.
  通过模拟还发现，在一定的高度范围内，喷口安装的越低，则冷气流扩散的越远，气流分布越均匀，工作区的热舒适性越好。
• Now, many people find it cold comfort to join such an abstract group, especially when they have not yet met any noble ones in person.
  诚然，不少人觉得加入这么一个抽象的团体，得到的慰勉温暖不足，特别是当他们还没有亲自遇到一位圣者时。
• John failed the exam, it was cold comfort to him to be told that he could take a make-up exam next semester.
  约翰考试不及格，告诉他下学期可以补考只是徒增他的烦恼而已。
• But a resume is a cold comfort on a winter night, or when you're sad, or broke, or lonely, or when you've gotten back the test results and they're not so good.
  但是一张履历不过是冬夜里一个冰冷的慰藉，不过是在你悲伤、身无分文、孤独一人时，或在你拿回考试成绩而它们不太令人满意时的一个冰冷的慰藉。
• The loss could have been heavier, but that was cold comfort.
  这次损失不算太重，但那并不值得高兴。
• Kevin: Yeah, well that's cold comfort. My phone keeps ringing-off the hook with customers complaining about those USB cables you sold me.
  是啊！这真是敷衍的安慰。我的电话一直应接不暇，客户不断抱怨你卖给我的USB接线。
• Cold comfort for change?
  将淡泊的舒适换作改变？
• That's cold comfort to anyone looking for a job right now.
  这对于目前正在找工作的人来说是无用的安慰。