Cold turkey

Definitions

• Suddenly stopping a habit or addiction
  Refers to the physical and emotional discomfort that comes with abruptly quitting a substance or behavior that one has become dependent on, without any gradual reduction or weaning off.

• Suddenly ending a relationship or activity
  Implies a sudden and complete break, often with no warning or preparation, from a romantic partner, friendship, job, or other commitment.

• Doing something without preparation or training
  Suggests diving into a task or activity without any prior knowledge, experience, or planning, often resulting in failure or difficulty.

Examples of Cold turkey

• Sarah decided to quit smoking cold turkey.

  This means that Sarah stopped smoking abruptly and completely, without gradually reducing her intake or using nicotine replacements like patches or gum.

• The teacher announced that the school would be implementing a new policy cold turkey.

  This means that the policy would be enforced immediately and without any prior warning or transition period.Caught red-handed

• The burglar was caught red-handed by the police.

  This means that the burglar was caught in the act of committing a crime, with evidence (such as red dye on their hands) linking them directly to the crime.

• The student was caught red-handed cheating on the exam.

  This means that the student was caught in the act of cheating, with evidence (such as notes or a cheat sheet) linking them directly to the act of cheating.Let the cat out of the bag

• The secret was let out of the bag by accident.

  This means that the secret was unintentionally revealed, perhaps because someone made a careless mistake or spoke without thinking.

• The politician's opponent let the cat out of the bag by revealing a secret strategy.

  This means that the opponent accidentally revealed a plan or tactic that the politician had been keeping secret, potentially giving the politician an advantage.Kick the bucket

• The old man kicked the bucket last night.

  This is a euphemism for saying that the old man died. The phrase "kick the bucket" is thought to come from the image of a farmer kicking over a bucket to kill a chicken, which is where the phrase "chicken little" comes from as well.

• The CEO's sudden departure from the company has left many people wondering if he kicked the bucket.

  This means that people are speculating about whether the CEO died suddenly, as his sudden departure was unexpected and unexplained.Bite the bullet

Conclusion

The idiom "cold turkey" is commonly used to describe a sudden and complete stop to a habit or activity. It can be used in a literal sense, referring to quitting a substance or behavior without any gradual reduction or preparation. However, it is also often used figuratively to describe an abrupt ending to a relationship or commitment, or to describe jumping into a task without any prior knowledge or preparation.

Origin of "Cold turkey"

The origin of this idiom is debated, but there are a few theories about its origin. One theory suggests that it comes from the literal meaning of "cold turkey," which refers to the unpleasant physical symptoms experienced by someone who suddenly stops using a drug, such as heroin or alcohol. These symptoms can include cold sweats, chills, and goosebumps, hence the term "cold turkey."

Another theory suggests that the phrase originated from a dish made from leftover turkey, often served cold and without any accompaniments. This could be seen as a metaphor for abruptly ending something without any preparation or additional support.

Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom "cold turkey" has become a commonly used phrase in English, conveying the idea of a sudden and complete stop to something without any gradual decrease or preparation.