be cold comfort

be cold comfort

To fail as an intended source of solace. The news that I got a meager raise is cold comfort after not getting that big promotion. The fact that it's "stage one" is cold comfort to me—it's still cancer!
See also: cold, comfort
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • cold comfort
  • solace
  • take solace
  • take solace in (something)
  • widow's cruse
  • a widow's cruse
  • cruse
  • comfort station
  • be there (for one)
  • been there