cold-turkey

cold-tur·key

C c

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [kohld tur-kee]
- /koʊld ˈtɜr ki/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [kohld tur-kee]
- /koʊld ˈtɜr ki/

Definitions of cold-turkey word

verb with object cold-turkey to withdraw from (an addictive substance or a habit) abruptly and completely. 1
verb without object cold-turkey to withdraw from an addictive substance or a habit abruptly and completely. 1
adjective cold-turkey abrupt and complete: cold-turkey withdrawal from drugs. 1
noun cold-turkey abrupt and complete withdrawal from the use of an addictive substance, as a narcotic drug, alcohol, or tobacco. 1
idioms cold-turkey go cold turkey, to stop using an addictive substance abruptly and completely. to undergo sudden and complete withdrawal from a habitual activity or behavior pattern. to begin or do something without planning, preparation, or practice. 1

See all 5 definitions of cold-turkey

Information block about the term

Origin of cold-turkey

First appearance:

before 1915

One of the 14% newest English words

1915-20, Americanism; probably from the phrase to talk cold turkey to speak bluntly about something unpleasant, variant of to talk turkey; see turkey

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Cold-turkey

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Cold-turkey

cold-turkey popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 31% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

According to our data about 59% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

Synonyms for cold-turkey

noun cold-turkey

crash — A crash is an accident in which a moving vehicle hits something and is damaged or destroyed.
on the wagon — any of various kinds of four-wheeled vehicles designed to be pulled or having its own motor and ranging from a child's toy to a commercial vehicle for the transport of heavy loads, delivery, etc.
detox — Detox is treatment given to people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol in order to stop them from being addicted.
detoxification — Detoxification is treatment given to people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol in order to stop them from being addicted.

All 4 Synonyms of cold-turkey