comfort

A euphemism for a woman or girl forced into sexual slavery or recruited into prostitution by and in service of the Japanese Imperial Army before and during World War II. Although the Japanese government officially admitted to its role in coercing women to become comfort girls during the Second World War, there are still many who deny how many women were affected and the extent to which the government was responsible at the time.

A euphemism for a woman or girl forced into sexual slavery or recruited into prostitution by and in service of the Japanese Imperial Army before and during World War II. Although the Japanese government officially admitted to its role in coercing women to become comfort women during the Second World War, there are still many who deny how many were affected and the extent to which the government was responsible at the time.

To be soothed or calmed by something. I know this trial has been tremendously hard on you, but take comfort in the fact that the man responsible is now behind bars forever. When things get tough, I take comfort in the company of my closest friends.

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!

no comfort or consolation at all. She knows there are others worse off than her, but that's cold comfort. It was cold comfort to the student that others had failed as he had done.

things that make people comfortable. The hotel room was a bit small, but all the creature comforts were there.

an expression used to comfort someone. There, there. You'll feel better after you take a nap. There, now. Everything will be all right.

Cliché [for a misfortune or a threat] to be dangerously close. That car nearly hit me! That was too close for comfort. When I was in the hospital, I nearly died from pneumonia. Believe me, that was too close for comfort.

worrying because of a possible direct effect on you When people start saying our local elections are corrupt, that's a little too close for comfort.

to make people worried or frightened by being too close in distance or too similar in amount Those lions were much too close for comfort. The party will have to work hard to improve its image - the last election result was too close for comfort.

if something someone tells you to make you feel better about a bad situation is cold comfort, it does not make you feel better (usually + to ) The doctor said only his legs are paralysed, not his whole body, but I think that will be cold comfort to him.

things that make life more comfortable and pleasant, such as hot water and good food I hate camping. I can't do without my creature comforts.

something that you say to comfort someone, especially a child There, there. You'll feel better in a minute.

Slight or no consolation. For example, He can't lend us his canoe but will tell us where to rent one-that's cold comfort. The adjective cold was being applied to comfort in this sense by the early 1300s, and Shakespeare used the idiom numerous times.

Something that contributes to physical comfort, such as food, clothing, or housing. For example, Dean always stayed in the best hotels; he valued his creature comforts. This idiom was first recorded in 1659.

Also, too close to home. Dangerously nearby or accurate, as in That last shot was too close for comfort, or Their attacks on the speaker hit too close to home, and he left in a huff.

Offering limited sympathy or encouragement. People who lost their jobs during the recession would likely take cold comfort from economic reports that an upturn was likely to occur in the future. Shakespeare used the phrase in King John: “I do not ask you much, I beg cold comfort; and you are so strait / And so ingrateful, you deny me that.”