out cold

Idioms  

1. Also, out for the count; out like a light. Unconscious; also, asleep. For example, He crashed into the wall and was out cold, or Willie punched him too hard, and he was out for the count or Don't call Jane; she's out like a light by ten every night. The adjective cold refers to the lack of heat in a dead body and has been used to mean “unconscious” since the second half of the 1800s. The first variant comes from boxing, where a fighter who is knocked down must get up before the referee counts to ten or be declared defeated; it dates from about 1930. The last variant alludes to turning out a light and dates from the first half of the 1900s.

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Example Sentences

The new study shows that dark matter does not necessarily need to start out cold.

From Science Daily

A quick peek ’round the far side of the bed revealed Simon out cold on the floor.

From Literature

The three Incorrigibles were out cold, nestled in a heap on the seat, and Penelope was ready to follow their example.

From Literature

Another unconventional character is Gudetama, or "lazy egg", who is living with depression and fires out cold one-liners that reflect dark realities of life.

From BBC

Some found that shocking but that's how it is when a fighter gets knocked out cold.

From BBC