Idiom
go cold turkey
Meanings
To stop an addictive substance or habit suddenly and completely, without tapering off.
To quit a regular activity or behavior abruptly, not gradually.
Definition
To stop using something suddenly and completely, especially an addictive substance or habit.
To go cold turkey means to quit a drug, alcohol, nicotine, or another habit all at once, without gradually reducing it. It often implies the person may experience cravings or withdrawal symptoms. People also use it more generally for abruptly stopping any repeated behavior.
Examples
- After ten years of smoking, he decided to go cold turkey.
- I tried to go cold turkey on sugar, but I got intense cravings.
- She went cold turkey and stopped checking social media entirely.
- My doctor warned me not to go cold turkey without a plan.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.