cold turkey
The term "cold turkey" originally described blunt communication but has evolved to signify the abrupt cessation of a habit, particularly substance use, often leading to withdrawal symptoms.
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Definition
B2Addiction
(informal)The sudden and complete stopping of a substance or habit, typically leading to withdrawal symptoms.
Example
- He decided to quit smoking cold turkey, which made the first few days very difficult.
B2General
(informal)To abruptly quit or stop doing something without any gradual reduction.
Example
- She gave up caffeine cold turkey and experienced severe headaches.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "cold turkey":