[Vocabulary] To give somebody the cold shoulder (unconsciously)

[beachboy]

I understand that "to give somebody the cold shoulder" is something that somebody does on purpose. Would there be an expression that means "to unconsciously give somebody the cold shoulder"? For example, somebody approaches you, you go as if you wanted to shake hands, but they don't see it, they say "hello" and go.

 

[emsr2d2]

I can't think of a logical phrase for that. You'd have to simply explain that he didn't ignore the other person on purpose.

 

[beachboy]

Could it be "to leave somebody hanging"?

 

[Rover_KE]

That doesn't work for me.

 

[beachboy]

That doesn't work for me.

In what context can I use "to leave somebody hanging"?

 

[Skrej]

Could it be "to leave somebody hanging"?

That works in AmE, but it's very informal. In fact, I'd call it slang. You'll sometimes hear it when somebody doesn't complete the 'high five' hand slapping gesture, but the gesture itself is extremely informal as well.