Cold turkey describes the actions of a person who abruptly1 gives up a habit or addiction2 rather than gradually easing the process through gradual reduction or by using replacement3 medication.
Cold turkey指一个人短期内非常快戒除去某个习惯或者成瘾的癖好,而不是通过渐渐减量或用替代药物等方法渐渐戒除。
当名词时cold turkey意为绝对失败者,莽撞等;当副词时意为直截了当地、单刀直入地或者断然地。
譬如:
He quit heavy drinking cold turkey.
他没靠任何帮助,断然戒掉了酗酒的恶习。
热点美剧《国土安全》第3季中,Brody被Saul的手下发现时已有毒瘾,来看他们的对话:
-The guy's a junkie, sir.
-Has to be cold turkey. Where hes going, we need him functional4.
-这家伙有毒瘾。
-需要完全戒掉,无论怎么样都得让他正常起来。