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

• With the development, researchers found that people only feel neither hot nor cold, but not comfort in stable condition. Plenty of examples show that local environment control can alleviate discomfort in warm or cool environment.
  但随着研究的深入，研究人员发现在稳态条件下，只能有无差别状态，而不会有热舒适状态。大量实例显示，局部环境调节可以缓解人体对偏热或偏冷环境的不适感。
• 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。
• 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。
• At present, air-conditioning is being widely used for heating in hot summer and cold winter areas. This heating method 'heat transfer form is mainly convection, which is high energy consumption, and is being widely criticized by the users because of its bad comfort.
  目前我国夏热冬冷地区广泛采用空调方式采暖，这种以对流传热为主的采暖方式不仅能耗高，其舒适性也受到用户的广泛批评。
• When the Don answered, his voice was cold, without comfort.
  当堂回答时，他的声音是冷酷的，没有安慰。
• 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。
• A recent Michigan lawsuit may provide some cold comfort to these associates.
  密歇根州最近的一宗法律诉讼或许能让这些律师们感到心有戚戚。
• 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。
• I cradled my video camera nervously on my lap, but its cold contours did nothing to comfort me.
  我紧张地把摄影机架在大腿上，但是它冰冷的外形并没能给我任何安慰。
• Dear survivor: cold comfort though it may be, you are not the only one wondering.
  亲爱的幸存者：如果这么说能给你一点安慰的话，我可以告诉你，你并不是唯一一个有这种困惑的职场人士。