The idiom "come from the cold"

Question

HiCould you please tell me how common the idiom "come from the cold" is among native speakers?Thanks,Tom

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Mr. TomCould you please tell me how common the idiom "come from the cold" is among native speakers?

I'll give you a hint: What does it mean?

Mr. Tom · Answer

Hi MM,

One of the online dictionaries explains the idiom this way:

if someone comes in from the cold, they become part of a group or an activity which they were not allowed to join before...

I assume the meaning has to do with the fact that cold is generally harsh and is not very often welcomed by people, but I may be altogether wrong.

It just so happens that these days I am reading a novel The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John Le Carre -- and I was intrigued to know how common this idiom is amongst the native speakers.

Thanks,

Tom

Mister Micawber · Answer

Mr. TomThe idiom "come from the cold"

One small word (in this case, 'in') makes a lot of difference between idiom and nonsense, Tom. Please be careful when you type your posts.

Mr. Tomif someone comes in from the cold, they become part of a group or an activity which they were not allowed to join before.

Yes, this is generally known. but we do not generally have a need to use it beyond that very familiar novel title.

Mr. Tom · Answer

Thanks for the valuable input, MM.

Tom

PS: Have you read the novel? Did you like it?

Mister Micawber · Answer

Mr. TomHave you read the novel? Did you like it?

No, I'm not much for that kind of thing.

The idiom "come from the cold"

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