Definition

1. Noun:
   • The abrupt and complete cessation of a habitual, addictive substance or behavior: Refers to stopping something (like a drug, alcohol, or tobacco) suddenly and completely, without tapering off or using aids.
   • A blunt, direct, and often harsh manner of speaking or acting: Refers to a way of communicating or behaving that is straightforward, without softening the message or showing emotion.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Cessation):
  • He quit smoking cold turkey after twenty years.
  • The best method for her was to quit sugar cold turkey.
• Noun (Blunt Manner):
  • I told him cold turkey that his project was rejected.
  • She delivered the bad news cold turkey, with no sugar-coating.

Advanced Usage

• "to go cold turkey": To stop an addictive habit abruptly and completely.
  • After the health scare, he decided to go cold turkey on caffeine.
• "to quit something cold turkey": To cease a dependency suddenly.
  • She quit her job cold turkey without having another one lined up.

Variants and Related Words

• Cold-turkey (Adverb/Adjective, informal): Done in an abrupt, complete manner.
  • He quit cold-turkey. (adverb)
  • It was a cold-turkey withdrawal. (adjective)

Synonyms

• Abrupt withdrawal: For the cessation meaning.
• Stopping dead: For the cessation meaning.
• Bluntly, frankly, straight out: For the manner of speaking meaning.

Related Phrases

• "To kick the habit cold turkey": To stop a bad habit completely and suddenly.
  • He finally managed to kick the habit cold turkey.

Related Idioms

• "Tell it like it is": Similar in spirit to the blunt manner meaning of , meaning to speak honestly and directly.
  • You can always count on her to tell it like it is.

Noun

1. complete and abrupt withdrawal of all addictive drugs or anything else on which you have become dependent
   • he quit smoking cold turkey
   • she quit her job cold turkey
2. a blunt expression of views
   • I told him cold turkey