in cold blood

Idioms  

1. In a purposely ruthless and unfeeling manner, as in The whole family was murdered in cold blood. This expression alludes to the notion that blood is the seat of emotion and is hot in passion and cold in calm. The term therefore means not “in the heat of passion,” but “in a calculated, deliberate manner.” [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

"We do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint," said Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, where Mr Mangione was arrested at a McDonald's.

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2024

“In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint,” he said.

From Salon • Dec. 11, 2024

But the tide is changing — and it’s good to see an American institution such as the Smithsonian helping to rectify this deep harm by repatriating art stolen in cold blood.

From Washington Post • Mar. 14, 2022

He added: “I have a hard time believing that he stole Oxyrhynchus papyri in cold blood and sold them to Hobby Lobby.”

From The Guardian • Jan. 9, 2020

It is doubtful if he ever did anything braver in cold blood, or more unwise.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien