Meaning of 'Does it ever get cold on the moral high ground?'

Meaning of 'Does it ever get cold on the moral high ground?' - Picturesque scenery of rough rocky mountain tops covered with snow located highland under cloudy sky

The Dowager Countess imparts another winner against her frenemy, Isobel, in the battle of the barbs , as quoted by pbs.org.
I haven't watched season 6 but I'm only interested in knowing in what this snarky comment means. I'm aware of 'moral high ground' but I don't understand in what sense cold has been used.
I debated posting this question on ELL but thought that someone who's more familiar with the context might be able to help me better.
Cold has various meanings so I don't know which sense would best connote what Violet meant.



Best Answer

"High ground," taken literally and to the extreme, could refer to a mountain or some such, where the air is significantly colder year-round than it is down near sea level. There may even be snow up there all the time.

Additionally, "warmth" is often used as a descriptive term in conjunction with being loved or surrounded by family and friends. Being "cold" could thus be used for the opposite - someone who is lonely and isolated.

So, asking if it's "cold" up on the "moral high ground" is extending the logic of the metaphor to suggest that her opponent must be lonely and uncomfortable all the way "up there." (ie: as a result of being such a goody two-shoes.)




Pictures about "Meaning of 'Does it ever get cold on the moral high ground?'"

Meaning of 'Does it ever get cold on the moral high ground?' - Trunk of massive tree in snow
Meaning of 'Does it ever get cold on the moral high ground?' - Mountainous area in misty weather
Meaning of 'Does it ever get cold on the moral high ground?' - Winter forest with evergreen and leafless trees



What is the meaning of moral high ground?

Definition of the moral high ground : a position in which one has a moral advantage over others These countries lost/ceded the moral high ground when they entered the war to protect their economic interests. She believes she has the moral high ground on this issue.

Does it ever get cold in the moral high ground?

1. The Dowager Countess, to Isobel: \u201cDoes it ever get cold on the moral high ground?\u201d And there you have it. Dame Maggie for the win, every time.

How do you get the moral high ground?

Grab the moral high ground. When they suggest something even slightly immoral, point out how terrible they are for suggesting such a thing. Say that you would never do such a thing. Morals and values include not harming others, not being selfish, and so on.



Tales of the Abyss OST - Meaning of Birth




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Nico Becker, Francesco Ungaro, Plato Terentev, Plato Terentev