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]

---

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

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

From Salon

"In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint," Pennsylvania's governor Josh Shapiro told reporters.

From BBC

Seven seasons ago they lost games against Alloa Athletic, Raith Rovers and Queen of the South before getting done in cold blood by Motherwell in a bid to reach the Premiership through the play-offs.

From BBC

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