Cold turkey definition

Cold turkey

Topics Cold turkey Definition

WordNet

(1) Complete and abrupt withdrawal of all addictive drugs or anything else on which you have become dependent

"He quit smoking cold turkey"

"She quit her job cold turkey"

(2) A blunt expression of views

"I told him cold turkey"

WiktionaryText

The sudden and complete withdrawal of a dependent substance, especially of a drug
The physiological effects of such a withdrawal

cold turkey

Not gradually; all at once. Refers especially to quitting a habit by force of will rather than by a gradual reduction.

It is difficult, but possible to quit smoking cold turkey.