“Cold Turkey” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 4, 2024 by Liam Daniel

The phrase “cold turkey” is often used in English conversations, but what does it actually mean? In this reference, you will learn about its definition and origins. You’ll also explore different examples to see how it’s used in everyday conversations. By understanding these aspects, you will have a clearer grasp on how to use “cold turkey” yourself.

Cold Turkey Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • “Cold turkey” means stopping a habit or addiction abruptly and completely, without gradually reducing or using aids to help. It is often used in the context of quitting drugs, smoking, or other addictive behaviors and can be challenging due to withdrawal symptoms or sudden change.
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Cold Turkey Meaning

“Cold turkey” refers to the abrupt and complete cessation of a habit, addiction, or behavior, typically without gradual reduction or any assistance to ease the process. It’s most often used when someone suddenly stops using drugs, alcohol, smoking, or another addictive substance or activity, rather than tapering off slowly.

For example:

  • “He decided to quit smoking cold turkey, and it’s been tough, but he’s determined.”

The phrase can also be applied more broadly to stopping any activity or behavior abruptly.

Origin of this Term

The term “cold turkey” is believed to have originated in the early 20th century and likely comes from the idea of something being sudden, plain, and straightforward, much like a plate of cold, unadorned turkey.

There are many theories as to the origin of the phrase cold turkey, However, one of them comes from the similarities between a dead turkey and a recovering drug addict, in that both are cold, moist and have goosebumps.

Usage of “Cold Turkey”

Quitting a habit:

  • “She quit smoking cold turkey after years of struggling with the habit.”

Referring to an immediate stop:

  • “I decided to quit caffeine cold turkey, and it’s been a rough few days.”

Breaking a behavioral pattern:

  • “After realizing the effects of social media on his mental health, he went cold turkey and deleted all his accounts.”

In a general sense:

  • “He quit junk food cold turkey after his health started deteriorating.”

In all these examples, “cold turkey” emphasizes the abrupt, all-at-once nature of stopping the behavior or habit.

Related Terms to “Cold Turkey”

  • Tapering off: Gradually reducing the use of an addictive substance or habit over time, as opposed to quitting abruptly.
  • Withdrawal: The physical or emotional symptoms experienced after stopping the use of an addictive substance.
  • Going off: Informal term for stopping the use of something, often in the context of medication or substances.
  • Detox: The process of cleansing the body of addictive substances, often as part of recovery from substance abuse.
  • Kicking the habit: A colloquial phrase meaning to quit a long-term habit or addiction.
  • Relapse: Returning to a habit or addiction after having quit or reduced it.
  • Abstinence: Refraining from certain behaviors or substances, particularly in the context of addiction recovery.

Other Ways to Say the Idiom

You might like to use other words and phrases to refer to the meaning of the term cold turkey.

Here are some alternative things you could say.

  • Abstaining
  • Giving up totally
  • Stop
  • Quit

“Cold Turkey” Examples

Examples in Statements

Let’s now take a look at some examples of the phrase cold turkey in a sentence.

The first sentence is one being said by someone quitting smoking.

  • I have decided I am not going to smoke anymore, I am going to quit cold turkey.

The next statement is one being made by a friend to another friend who is staying off alcohol.

  • You are doing really well not drinking, I can’t believe you did it cold turkey.

More useful examples:

  • I quit cold turkey some 25 years ago, but the specialists simply shrug off this kind of information.
  • I stopped smoking cold turkey and had to be hospitalized.
  • G.M. has stated it will go cold turkey on incentives, and it has.
  • Mary is a cold turkey. She looks down upon all her classmates.
  • The quickest way to get her off the drug was to let her go cold turkey.

Conversation Examples

The idiom cold turkey might be heard in a variety of situations. Let’s take a look at some examples of conversations in order to show what you might hear.

The first conversation is taking place between two friends in a bar.

  • Person 1: “I’ll have a beer, what will you have?”
  • Person 2: “Just a lemonade please.”
  • Person 1: “Are you not drinking anymore?”
  • Person 2: “No, it makes me feel bad so I’m going cold turkey.”

The second conversation is one taking place between a doctor and his patient.

  • Person 1: “It has been years that you have been using cannabis, I think it’s time you quit.”
  • Person 2: “It will be hard.”
  • Person 1: “Yes, it will and I’m not suggesting you go cold turkey, do it gradually.”
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