Go cold turkey Meaning in English
expression
ˈɡoʊ/ /ˈkoʊɫd/ /ˈtɝki
GOH KOHLD TUR-kee
ɡˈəʊ/ /kˈəʊld/ /tˈɜːki
guh-OHLD ter-KEE
Definition
To suddenly and completely stop doing something, especially a habit like smoking or drinking, without gradually reducing it.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, often used when talking about quitting addictions. It implies no gradual reduction, only a sudden stop. Usually used with 'to' or after 'decide to.' Common mistake: Don't say 'do cold turkey'.
Spanish: dejar de golpe - dejar en secoPortuguese (BR): parar de repente - largar de uma vezPortuguese (PT): parar de repente - largar de uma vezChinese (Simplified): 突然戒断 - 立即戒掉Chinese (Traditional): 突然戒斷 - 立即戒掉Hindi: अचानक पूरी तरह छोड़ देनाArabic: الإقلاع فجأةBengali: একেবারে ছেড়ে দেওয়া - হঠাৎ বন্ধ করাRussian: резко бросить - резко прекратитьJapanese: きっぱりやめるVietnamese: bỏ dứt khoát - ngưng đột ngộtKorean: 완전히 끊다 - 단번에 끊다Turkish: bir anda bırakmakUrdu: اچانک چھوڑ دیناIndonesian: berhenti total - langsung berhenti
Example Sentences
He decided to go cold turkey to quit smoking.
basic
Some people can't go cold turkey when giving up coffee.
basic
It's hard to go cold turkey from social media.
basic
After years of drinking soda, I finally went cold turkey last month.
natural
She couldn't handle it, so she didn't go cold turkey—she cut down slowly.
natural
He's trying to go cold turkey on video games, but it's tougher than he thought.
natural