Word: Cold Turkey
Definition:
"Cold turkey" is a phrase that means to stop doing something suddenly and completely, especially when it comes to quitting an addiction or a habit. It usually refers to stopping the use of addictive drugs or substances, but it can also be used in a broader sense.
Usage Instructions:
- You can use "cold turkey" as a noun when talking about quitting something abruptly. - It is often used in informal conversations.
Examples: 1. Addiction Context: "After years of smoking, he decided to quit cold turkey." 2. Job Context: "She left her job cold turkey without any notice." 3. Directness Context: "When he asked for my opinion, I told him cold turkey that I didn’t agree."
Advanced Usage:
- "Cold turkey" can also imply a blunt or straightforward way of expressing opinions or feelings without sugar-coating them. For example, "She gave him the cold turkey truth about his performance."
Word Variants:
- There are no direct variants of "cold turkey," but it can be used with different subjects (e.g., "quit cold turkey," "leave cold turkey").
Different Meanings:
- While primarily used in the context of quitting habits, "cold turkey" can also refer to being straightforward in communication, as mentioned above.
Synonyms:
- Sudden stop - Abrupt cessation - Complete withdrawal
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
- "Go cold turkey": This is a common way to say someone has decided to quit something suddenly. - Example: "He decided to go cold turkey on caffeine."
Important Note:
Using "cold turkey" usually has a serious tone, especially when discussing addictions.