in cold blood
Adverb * In a deliberately ruthless and unemotional manner; without feeling or mercy. This phrase describes an act, typically a violent one like murder, that is carried out in a calculated, premeditated way, without passion, anger, or any emotional impulse that might otherwise explain or mitigate it. It emphasizes the cold, detached, and intentional nature of the action.
The phrase "in cold blood" is almost exclusively used as an adverbial modifier for verbs describing violent or harmful acts, most commonly "kill" or "murder." It follows the verb it modifies. * The central, defining usage is to describe a premeditated, emotionless killing. * It can be extended metaphorically to describe other ruthless, calculated actions performed without empathy.
- The documentary explored the case of a criminal who killed his victims in cold blood.
- The prosecutor argued that the defendant did not act in self-defense but shot the victim in cold blood.
- (Metaphorical) The corporation was accused of shutting down the historic factory in cold blood, without any regard for the community.
- "Cold-blooded" (Adjective): Describes a person or action characterized by a lack of emotion, pity, or mercy. It is the adjectival form derived from the same concept.
- He was convicted as a cold-blooded murderer.
- The phrase often implies a violation of societal or moral norms, as the act is seen as particularly heinous due to its calculated nature, as opposed to a "crime of passion."
- Cold-bloodedly (Adverb): In a cold-blooded manner. A less common, more formal synonym.
- The act was carried out cold-bloodedly.
- Premeditated (Adjective): Planned or thought out beforehand. This is a key legal component of an act done "in cold blood."
- Calculated (Adjective): Done with full awareness or deliberate intent.
- Mercilessly
- Ruthlessly
- Calculatedly
- Without remorse
- With premeditation
- In the heat of the moment
- Passionately
- Spontaneously
- Accidentally
- In hot blood: Acting out of strong, immediate emotion like anger or passion (the direct opposite of "in cold blood").
- He struck the man in hot blood, regretting it immediately afterward.
- Blood runs cold: To be filled with horror or fear.
- My blood ran cold when I heard the details of the crime.
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in a cold unemotional manner
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he killed her in cold blood
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