People use all kinds of slang and idioms in different kinds of situations. These make the conversations more fluid and without using very sophisticated terms. In this article, we will talk about one of the slangs or idioms that people use daily.
The idiom to “go cold turkey” refers to what happens when a person stops consuming an addictive substance or abruptly quits a habit. It is used when a person suddenly stops consuming a substance such as alcohol, tobacco, or another drug, instead of gradually reducing it, which can cause withdrawal.
What Is The Origin Of “Go Cold Turkey”?
The exact origin of this particular idiom is still unknown. But according to some articles, this slang has been used since the early 1900s, but according to Merriam-Webster, it has existed long before because it is supposedly derived from the phrase “Talk Turkey”, which has been used since the 1800s. There are many theories related to the etymology of the phrase, but the most accepted is the one that says that it is the product of a modification to the phrase “Talk Turkey”. This refers to speaking plainly or seriously or getting down to work. But despite its origin, it is considered the best way to define the withdrawal process of having stopped an addictive habit.
One of the first pieces of evidence of the use of “Cold Turkey” in a writing was that of the Canadian newspaper The Daily Colonist in 1921, in which it said:
“Perhaps the most pitiful figures who have appeared before Dr. Carleton Simon are those who voluntarily surrender themselves. When they go before him, they [drug addicts] are given what is called the ‘cold turkey’ treatment.”
How Do People Use “Go Cold Turkey” Nowadays?
The most common use of this idiom is to refer to suddenly and abruptly quitting addictions such as alcohol and other drugs. In this same order, it can also be used when you stop consuming some type of medication. Doing this without consulting a specialist who helps you gradually quit addiction could cause problems. This could be dangerous due to adverse effects like withdrawal, which is a response to your body not consuming the addictive substance.
Nowadays people not only use it to refer to drugs but also to other habits that you normally do as part of your daily routine. On the contrary, they also use it to say that they are going to try something new suddenly and without any preparation, for example: running a marathon without preparing physically.
Two variants of the phrase can be found. One of them is “Go Cold Turkey” and another is “Quit Cold Turkey. Both refer to the same, the process of quitting an addiction without any prior preparation so as not to cause withdrawal and other health problems, but the most common is “Go Cold Turkey”.
This term is also related to getting “goosebumps” (piloerection), which appear due to abrupt withdrawal from opioids. This reaction looks a lot like the skin of a chilled, plucked turkey.
Example In Sentences Of The Slang
In the day-to-day, we can find many situations in which this idiom can be used. Here are some examples:
- You cannot go cold turkey on your medication because that can cause you many health problems.
- My friend has tried for many years to quit smoking but has not been able to, so he decided to go cold turkey.
- Incredulously she went cold turkey on her habit of drinking coffee in the morning.
- I was eating a lot of junk food and it was making me overweight. So I just went cold turkey and now eat healthier.
- You cannot just go cold turkey because that way you will not be able to overcome your addictions
- You should consider going cold turkey if you are not able to control your habits.
- To cure his addiction to alcohol, he decided to go cold turkey and stop hanging out with his friends every weekend.
- When drug addicts go cold turkey, they can become very anxious.
- I do not recommend that you go cold turkey about your addiction to smoking, because it could cause withdrawal syndrome.
- Doctors recommend reducing the dose of drugs, not going cold turkey.
- My brother was addicted to video games, so he decided to go cold turkey and give the console to our little cousins.
- Clearly, she went cold turkey on her compulsive shopping obsession because now she can save money.
- If you don’t go cold turkey and leave your smartphone at home, you won’t be able to enjoy your vacation.
- It’s evident how good quitting alcohol is doing, I can’t believe you go cold turkey.
- If all your attempts to quit your addiction, see a doctor before going cold turkey.
- Peter was addicted to dating apps, so he decided to go cold turkey and deleted all of them.
- You should not go cold turkey, you have to reduce consumption little by little.
- If you go cold turkey on smoking, it is normal for you to feel withdrawal.
- You have to prepare for your driving test, you can’t just go cold turkey. You could fail it.
- Thinking about the benefits of quitting makes me want to just go cold turkey.
- Withdrawal symptoms are one of the consequences of going cold turkey.
- It is best to go to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) before you go cold turkey on drinking alcohol.
Some Expressions Or Words That Are Related To The Slang “Go Cold Turkey”
- Abstaining. Example: You should be abstaining from using your cell phone so that you can concentrate on your work.
- Giving up totally. Example: You can’t be giving up totally on the idea that you can’t achieve what you set out to do.
- Stop bad habits suddenly. Example: You have to stop the bad habits you have and change your lifestyle.
- Quit. Example: You can’t stop hitting addictions.
- End abruptly. Example: The fame of Hollywood actors can end abruptly if they are not hired.
- Kick. Example: Ellen kicked her addiction to marihuana 3 years ago.
- withdrawal symptoms. Example: Withdrawal symptoms appear from the first day you stop using the drug.
- Desist. Example: Charly desisted taking his car to the mechanic and bought a new one.
- Detox. Example: You have to detox after consuming so much alcohol.
- Abandon. Example: People abandon their dogs when they get old.
- Cease. Example: She ceased using chemicals to wash her hair.
What Is Withdrawal And Why Is It Related To This Idiom?
Let’s talk a bit about the withdrawal symptoms that occur after going cold turkey on an addictive substance such as tobacco or alcohol.
The combination of physical and mental effects that a person experiences when they suddenly stop using a medicine or drug is known as withdrawal.
By abruptly or suddenly stopping the use of a substance that is potentially addictive, or by drastically cutting back, you may start to experience different types of withdrawal symptoms. The duration and intensity of these symptoms may vary depending on the substance and its biological composition.
Withdrawal is a state of great discomfort for the person suffering from it. In some cases, this could be dangerous. For that reason, it is advisable to consult with a doctor before suddenly stopping reducing or stopping using a drug or medication.
Symptoms
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Restlessness
- Congestion
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Sleeping difficulties
- Runny nose
- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Vomiting
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in mood
Other even more serious symptoms could appear such as delirium, hallucinations, and in the worst case, seizures. It should be taken into account that the type of medicine, the dose, and the length of time you took it, can influence the severity of the symptoms.
It is important to identify all of these symptoms before they become severe. But the truth is that these are very easy to identify because if you stop drinking your morning cup of coffee suddenly and for several days and go cold turkey, you will start to feel some of them.
Additional English Idioms
Conclusion
This idiom is very interesting and very useful for everyday life. As you could see in each example, it can apply, not only to refer to stop using addictive substances suddenly but it is also fitting when someone quits a habit, be it good or bad, abruptly. It should be taken into account that this is also something delicate, which cannot be done without being prepared or without having consulted a doctor before, as it could have consequences on our physical and mental health.
It is important to note that the origin of this idiom is a bit ambiguous. One might think that it is not closely related, but it must be understood that many of these expressions are born from others that are modified, either with a word or with a different meaning.
So the next time you think about going cold turkey, think about the consequences and the symptoms that it could cause you. Instead, consult a doctor and do not “go cold turkey” literally, use it in idioms for your conversations and writings instead.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.