I. noun
Date: 1921
1. : abrupt complete cessation of the use of an addictive drug ; also : the symptoms experienced by a person undergoing withdrawal from a drug
2. : unrelieved blunt language or procedure
3. : a cold aloof person
• cold-turkey transitive verb
II. adverb
Date: 1941
: all at once : abruptly: as
a. : without a period of gradual adjustment, adaptation, or withdrawal
quit smoking cold turkey
b. : without preparation
a new player who started the season cold turkey