Cold turkey Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈkoʊɫd/ /ˈtɝki

KOHLD TUR-kee

UK

kˈəʊld/ /tˈɜːki

KOHLD TUR-kee

Definition

To stop doing something, especially a habit or addiction, suddenly and completely without gradually reducing it.

Usage & Nuances

Mostly used with quitting addictions (smoking, drinking, drugs) or bad habits. Informal, common in speech and writing. Saying 'go cold turkey' means to stop abruptly; not used for normal planned stops. Sometimes linked with withdrawal symptoms.

• Spanish: dejar de golpe - dejar de raíz
• Portuguese (BR): parar de uma vez - parar de repente
• Portuguese (PT): parar de uma vez - deixar de repente
• Chinese (Simplified): 突然戒断 - 立刻停止
• Chinese (Traditional): 突然戒斷 - 立刻停止
• Hindi: अचानक पूरी तरह छोड़ देना
• Arabic: الإقلاع المفاجئ - التوقف فجأة
• Bengali: হঠাৎ সম্পূর্ণভাবে বন্ধ করা - একেবারে ছেড়ে দেওয়া
• Russian: резко бросить - отказаться внезапно
• Japanese: いきなりやめる - すっぱりやめる
• Vietnamese: ngừng ngay lập tức - bỏ dứt khoát
• Korean: 단번에 끊다 - 갑자기 끊다
• Turkish: bir anda bırakmak - aniden bırakmak
• Urdu: اچانک چھوڑ دینا - فوراً ترک کرنا
• Indonesian: berhenti total - langsung berhenti

Example Sentences

He quit smoking cold turkey last month.

basic

She decided to stop eating sugar cold turkey.

basic

Many people find it hard to quit caffeine cold turkey.

basic

He went cold turkey after years of drinking.

natural

I'm not sure I could give up my phone cold turkey.

natural

Some people experience withdrawal when quitting cold turkey.

natural