cold-turkey
[ kohld-tur-kee ]
/ ˈkoʊldˈtɜr ki /
verb (used with object)
to withdraw from (an addictive substance or a habit) abruptly and completely.
verb (used without object)
to withdraw from an addictive substance or a habit abruptly and completely.
adjective
abrupt and complete: cold-turkey withdrawal from drugs.
Words nearby cold-turkey
cold-pressed,
cold-roll,
cold-rolled,
cold-shoulder,
cold-store,
cold-turkey,
cold-water,
cold-water flat,
cold-weld,
cold-work,
colden
Definition for cold-turkey (2 of 2)
cold turkey
noun Informal.
abrupt and complete withdrawal from the use of an addictive substance, as a narcotic drug, alcohol, or tobacco.
Origin of cold turkey
1915–20,
Americanism; probably from the phrase
to talk cold turkey to speak bluntly about something unpleasant, variant of
to talk turkey; see
turkey
British Dictionary definitions for cold-turkey
cold turkey
noun
slang
a method of curing drug addiction by abrupt withdrawal of all doses
the withdrawal symptoms, esp nausea and shivering, brought on by this method
Cultural definitions for cold-turkey
cold turkey
To “go cold turkey” is to withdraw suddenly and completely from an addictive substance or some other form of dependency: “Many people who attempt to quit smoking do so by going cold turkey rather than by gradually cutting down.”
Idioms and Phrases with cold-turkey
cold turkey
Immediate, complete withdrawal from something, especially an addictive substance; also, without planning or preparation. For example, My bad shoulder forced me to quit playing tennis cold turkey, or I'd never done any rock climbing, but decided to try it cold turkey. This term may have come from the earlier expression talk turkey (for blunt speaking). At first used strictly for abrupt withdrawal from drugs or alcohol, it soon was transferred to quitting any habit or activity. [Early 1900s]