Meaning: This idiom is used to describe the abrupt cessation of a habit or addiction, particularly referring to quitting something, such as a drug, alcohol, or a behavior, suddenly and completely, without tapering off or gradual reduction. It implies an immediate and decisive action to stop the habit or addiction.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “After years of smoking, he decided to quit cold turkey, and he hasn’t touched a cigarette since.”
- “She knew she needed to stop drinking, so she quit cold turkey and joined a support group.”
- “I tried to quit sugar gradually, but it wasn’t working, so I went cold turkey and eliminated it from my diet altogether.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “cold turkey” is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the mid-20th century in the United States. One theory suggests that the phrase may have derived from the comparison of a cold turkey’s pale, clammy skin to the appearance of someone experiencing withdrawal symptoms from drugs or alcohol. Over time, “cold turkey” became a common idiom used to describe the abrupt cessation of habits or addictions without any gradual reduction.