ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cold turkey

idiom
Meaning

A sudden and complete withdrawal from a dependent substance, especially a drug.


Origin

disputed origin

Various explanations; see Cold turkey § Etymology on Wikipedia.

Examples
SIMPLE

He quit smoking cold turkey last month.

CONTEXTUAL

After years of heavy drinking, she decided to stop cold turkey rather than cut down gradually.

COMPLEX

The recovering addict, trembling in the clinic's harsh light, had chosen to go cold turkey rather than accept the slower, medicated path to sobriety.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a cold day in July

    The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.

  2. 02

    blow hot and cold

    To behave inconsistently; to vacillate or to waver, as between extremes of opinion or emotion.

  3. 03

    catch a cold

    To contract a cold.

  4. 04

    cold cash

    Money, regarded as an incentive that can override any doubts or ethical concerns.

  5. 05

    cold chills

    Feelings of fear.

  6. 06

    cold comfort

    Much less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.

  7. 07

    cold day in Hell

    The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.

  8. 08

    cold fish

    A heartless individual; a person lacking empathy and emotion.

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