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

“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

“It would be hard to cite an instance in modern history where men have had in cold blood to decide a question in which the risks and the consequences are comparable to this one.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 17, 2017

Of course, the truth is Instagram is rather a charming app which has brought easy, fun and quick photography to the masses, murdering the point-and-shoot market in cold blood.

From The Guardian • Sep. 11, 2014

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

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