Definition
Not gradually; all at once; referring especially to quitting a habit by force of will rather than by a gradual reduction.
Origins
Various explanations; see Cold turkey § Etymology on Wikipedia.
In Context
- "It is difficult, but possible to quit smoking cold turkey."
- "I knew that, if I had daily access to video games, I would spend literally every day playing them, forever. So I cut myself off, more or less cold turkey, and as a result I was more or less happy and productive."
- "Joan Baez:: ‘I talk to trees to get answers. They give it to you cold turkey’."