cold turkey

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It was terrifying. You can’t just go cold turkey on these things,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

According to medical literature and former patients, some programs, including CHOP, wean children off medications—including narcotics, antidepressants, steroids, and seizure medications—or encourage them to stop cold turkey.

From Slate • Sep. 15, 2025

Starting with a super cold turkey will result in a longer roasting time.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2024

And if Jackie is getting up at 4:30 to test-roast three turkeys, I’m texting her turkey and bulging-bicep emojis and joyously eating cold turkey under conference room lighting at noon.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2023

The truth was, I could no sooner quit cello cold turkey than I could stop breathing.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman