cold showers

Noun

cold shower (plural cold showers)

1. A shower taken by a person in cold water; as taken for therapeutic reasons, or suggested as a remedy to calm sexual excitement.
   • He had wondered who ever thought up that cliché, “take a cold shower,” had been ill-informed. It worked as long as you're in the shower, but, you certainly can't be in a cold shower twenty-four hours per day, he thought.2008, H. Clayggett Vanpelt, The Ultimate Plan, page 78
2. (figuratively) Something unexpected and often unpleasant which makes one take stock or reconsider something; a sudden change or turn of events.
   • At a time when mobile phones and social media ensure we’re all familiar with what crime really looks like, our tolerance for embracing it as entertainment may be diminished. Likewise our indulgence of those who act as if they’re above the law. Donald Trump, Harvey Weinstein – both are a bit of a...2018 June 11, Catherine Shoard, “Why Hollywood needs to ditch the heist movie”, in The Guardian
3. (figuratively) A chilly or unenthusiastic reaction to something or someone.
   • President Trump turned up and took a cold shower of boos which his memory has not yet alchemized into thunderous applause and two models popped up behind home plate, pulled up their shirts and bared their breasts as Houston’s Gerrit Cole peered in at his catcher for a sign.2019 October 30, Michael Powell, “The Great World Series Interference Debate”, in The New York Times