Turkeys are more than just a bird we eat on Thanksgiving. In American culture, they’ve also made their way into our language. People in the USA use many fun and colorful expressions with the word “turkey” in them. These idioms can describe a silly person, a direct conversation, or even a quick plan.
Some of these sayings come from history, while others grew from everyday life. Knowing them can help you understand jokes, stories, or even casual chats. In this article, we will explore different “turkey” idioms, see what they mean, and learn how to use them in real life. It’s a fun way to see how one bird became such a big part of American talk.
Idioms About Turkeys
1. Talk Turkey
Meaning: To speak honestly and directly about something.
Example Sentence:
• Let’s sit down and talk turkey about the project.
• The coach talked turkey with the team about their mistakes.
Other ways to say: Speak frankly, be direct
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase began in the early 1800s in the USA, possibly from settlers bargaining over wild turkeys.
Usage: Used when having a serious and direct conversation.
2. Cold Turkey
Meaning: To stop doing something suddenly.
Example Sentence:
• He quit smoking cold turkey.
• She stopped eating sugar cold turkey.
Other ways to say: Quit suddenly, stop right away
Fun Fact/Origin: First used in early 20th-century America; may refer to the “cold, goosebump” look of skin after withdrawal.
Usage: Used when someone quits a habit immediately without easing off.
3. Turkey Trot
Meaning: A slow or awkward movement.
Example Sentence:
• He did a little turkey trot across the icy sidewalk.
• The kids turkey trotted to the bus in the morning.
Other ways to say: Shuffle, hobble
Fun Fact/Origin: Originally a dance from the early 1900s in the USA, imitating a turkey’s walk.
Usage: Used to describe someone moving in a funny or awkward way.
4. Jive Turkey
Meaning: Someone who is dishonest or full of nonsense.
Example Sentence:
• Don’t listen to that jive turkey—he’s making it up.
• She called him a jive turkey for bragging too much.
Other ways to say: Faker, pretender
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in the 1970s in African-American slang, meaning someone who’s all talk.
Usage: Used playfully or as an insult for someone not being truthful.
5. Turkey Shoot
Meaning: Something very easy to do or win.
Example Sentence:
• The math quiz was a turkey shoot for her.
• That game was a turkey shoot—our team crushed them.
Other ways to say: Easy win, no contest
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from early shooting contests where turkeys were tied down, making them easy targets.
Usage: Used when a situation is extremely easy or one-sided.
6. Like a Turkey Voting for Thanksgiving
Meaning: Making a choice that will harm yourself.
Example Sentence:
• Supporting that plan is like a turkey voting for Thanksgiving.
• It’s like a turkey voting for Thanksgiving to agree to that deal.
Other ways to say: Self-defeating choice, bad decision
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the fact that Thanksgiving is when turkeys are eaten in the USA.
Usage: Used when someone chooses something that will hurt them.
7. Turkey Neck
Meaning: Loose or wrinkled skin under the chin.
Example Sentence:
• He joked about his turkey neck in old photos.
• Grandma wore a scarf to hide her turkey neck.
Other ways to say: Saggy skin, neck wrinkles
Fun Fact/Origin: Named because the skin under a turkey’s head hangs loosely.
Usage: Usually used in a light or teasing way about aging.
8. Stuffed Like a Turkey
Meaning: Very full from eating.
Example Sentence:
• I’m stuffed like a turkey after that dinner.
• We left the restaurant stuffed like turkeys.
Other ways to say: Overfull, filled up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how turkeys are stuffed with bread mixture for cooking on Thanksgiving.
Usage: Used after eating a lot of food.
9. Play Turkey
Meaning: To act inexperienced or naive.
Example Sentence:
• Don’t play turkey—you know what you’re doing.
• He played turkey to avoid more work.
Other ways to say: Pretend not to know, play dumb
Fun Fact/Origin: Related to using “turkey” as slang for a foolish person.
Usage: Used when someone pretends to be less skilled than they are.
10. Go Cold Turkey
Meaning: To quit a habit completely and suddenly.
Example Sentence:
• She went cold turkey on caffeine.
• He went cold turkey on video games.
Other ways to say: Stop instantly, quit at once
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “cold turkey” but emphasizes the act of doing it.
Usage: Used for sudden stopping of habits.
11. Wild Turkey
Meaning: A person who is unpredictable or a bit crazy.
Example Sentence:
• Watch out for him—he’s a wild turkey.
• She’s been acting like a wild turkey all day.
Other ways to say: Loose cannon, unpredictable person
Fun Fact/Origin: Named after the wild turkey species in North America, known for erratic movements.
Usage: Used to describe unpredictable behavior.
12. Turkey of an Idea
Meaning: A bad or silly idea.
Example Sentence:
• That’s a turkey of an idea—it won’t work.
• His plan to sail in a bathtub is a real turkey.
Other ways to say: Flop, dud
Fun Fact/Origin: “Turkey” became slang for a bad thing, especially in movies and theater.
Usage: Used when describing a poor plan.
13. Turkey in the Straw
Meaning: Something old-fashioned or rural.
Example Sentence:
• That barn dance felt like turkey in the straw.
• The music sounded like turkey in the straw.
Other ways to say: Country-style, old-timey
Fun Fact/Origin: From a 19th-century American folk song.
Usage: Used when something feels country or traditional.
14. Run Around Like a Turkey with Its Head Cut Off
Meaning: To be very busy or act frantically.
Example Sentence:
• I was running around like a turkey with its head cut off before the party.
• He’s running around like a turkey with its head cut off trying to finish work.
Other ways to say: In a frenzy, very busy
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the fact that chickens and turkeys can move for a while after decapitation.
Usage: Used when someone is rushing in a panicked way.
15. Talk Turkey to Me
Meaning: Speak plainly and clearly.
Example Sentence:
• Talk turkey to me—what’s the real cost?
• The lawyer talked turkey to explain the contract.
Other ways to say: Speak straight, be clear
Fun Fact/Origin: Variation of “talk turkey” used in casual conversation.
Usage: Used when asking someone to be direct.
16. Turkey Feather
Meaning: Something small or unimportant.
Example Sentence:
• Don’t worry about that mistake—it’s just a turkey feather.
• Compared to the big project, this problem is a turkey feather.
Other ways to say: Trivial thing, small detail
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that a single feather is minor compared to the whole bird.
Usage: Used when downplaying a problem.
17. Turkey Waddle
Meaning: To walk with a side-to-side motion.
Example Sentence:
• The kids turkey waddled to the bus in the snow.
• He turkey waddled to the kitchen after the big meal.
Other ways to say: Sway, shuffle
Fun Fact/Origin: Named for the wattle (skin) and movement of turkeys when walking.
Usage: Used to describe a funny or slow walk.
18. Turkey Farm
Meaning: A place or situation filled with foolish or unskilled people.
Example Sentence:
• That meeting was a turkey farm—nobody knew what to do.
• The event turned into a turkey farm with all the confusion.
Other ways to say: Mess, clown show
Fun Fact/Origin: Plays on the image of turkeys wandering without much purpose.
Usage: Used when describing a chaotic or unskilled group.
19. Turkey Buzzard
Meaning: Someone who hangs around waiting to take advantage.
Example Sentence:
• Those reporters were turkey buzzards after the scandal.
• He’s like a turkey buzzard, waiting for someone else’s leftovers.
Other ways to say: Opportunist, scavenger
Fun Fact/Origin: Named for the turkey vulture, a bird that feeds on dead animals.
Usage: Used to describe people who prey on others’ misfortunes.
20. Turkey Lurkey
Meaning: Someone who hangs around without doing much.
Example Sentence:
• Stop being a turkey lurkey and help us clean up.
• He was turkey lurkey at the edge of the dance floor.
Other ways to say: Loafer, bystander
Fun Fact/Origin: Popularized in children’s stories like Chicken Little.
Usage: Used in a light or teasing way for someone inactive.
21. Turkeyed Out
Meaning: Tired of eating or seeing turkey.
Example Sentence:
• After Thanksgiving, I’m turkeyed out.
• We were turkeyed out by the third day of leftovers.
Other ways to say: Sick of turkey, had enough
Fun Fact/Origin: Common after big turkey-heavy holidays in the USA.
Usage: Used when someone has had too much of something.
22. Big Turkey
Meaning: A person who acts important but isn’t.
Example Sentence:
• He walks around like a big turkey at the office.
• Don’t let that big turkey boss you around.
Other ways to say: Show-off, pretender
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the image of a turkey puffing up to look larger.
Usage: Used for people who act more important than they are.
23. Turkey Train
Meaning: A situation where many people follow one person without thinking.
Example Sentence:
• Everyone jumped on the turkey train to support the bad idea.
• The turkey train left the station, and no one questioned it.
Other ways to say: Blind following, bandwagon
Fun Fact/Origin: Combines the image of turkeys moving together with a train’s momentum.
Usage: Used for group decisions without critical thinking.
24. Turkey Dance
Meaning: Moving in an awkward or silly way.
Example Sentence:
• They turkey danced around the room during the party.
• His turkey dance made everyone laugh.
Other ways to say: Goofy steps, clumsy movement
Fun Fact/Origin: Inspired by turkeys puffing up and strutting.
Usage: Used to describe awkward dancing or moving.
25. Turkey Parade
Meaning: A group of people moving slowly and awkwardly.
Example Sentence:
• The hallways were a turkey parade after the assembly.
• Black Friday shoppers formed a turkey parade through the mall.
Other ways to say: Slow march, awkward crowd
Fun Fact/Origin: Likens slow-moving people to turkeys walking in a group.
Usage: Used when describing sluggish or disorganized groups.
26. Cooked Turkey
Meaning: Defeated or in big trouble.
Example Sentence:
• If we lose this round, we’re cooked turkeys.
• Forgetting his lines left him a cooked turkey.
Other ways to say: Done for, beaten
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that a turkey is finished once cooked.
Usage: Used for hopeless or failed situations.
27. Turkey Time
Meaning: The right time for a feast or celebration.
Example Sentence:
• It’s turkey time—dinner’s ready.
• The family gathered for turkey time on Thanksgiving.
Other ways to say: Dinner time, feast time
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in American homes for the Thanksgiving meal.
Usage: Used for meal times, especially involving turkey.
28. Turkey Chase
Meaning: A pointless or silly search.
Example Sentence:
• Looking for that part in the garage was a turkey chase.
• The kids went on a turkey chase for the missing ball.
Other ways to say: Wild goose chase, pointless hunt
Fun Fact/Origin: Variation of “wild goose chase” but with a turkey twist.
Usage: Used when a search leads nowhere.
29. Turkey Leg Stand
Meaning: A weak or unstable position.
Example Sentence:
• That argument doesn’t have a turkey leg to stand on.
• His plan has less support than a turkey leg stand.
Other ways to say: Weak base, flimsy support
Fun Fact/Origin: Compares weakness to a turkey’s thin legs holding up its body.
Usage: Used to describe poor arguments or plans.
30. Turkey Walk
Meaning: A slow, waddling walk.
Example Sentence:
• He did the turkey walk after eating too much.
• The kids turkey walked to the bus in the rain.
Other ways to say: Shuffle, slow walk
Fun Fact/Origin: From the characteristic turkey movement.
Usage: Used when describing slow, heavy walking.
31. Turkey Flock
Meaning: A group of people who act alike.
Example Sentence:
• That’s the turkey flock from the debate club.
• The turkey flock arrived together at the game.
Other ways to say: Group, clique
Fun Fact/Origin: Turkeys naturally flock together for safety.
Usage: Used to describe a close group of people.
32. Turkey Plan
Meaning: A poorly thought-out idea.
Example Sentence:
• That’s a turkey plan—it won’t work.
• His turkey plan fell apart in minutes.
Other ways to say: Bad plan, silly scheme
Fun Fact/Origin: “Turkey” in American slang means something useless or unsuccessful.
Usage: Used when rejecting a weak idea.
33. Turkey Dinner Smile
Meaning: A big, satisfied grin.
Example Sentence:
• He had a turkey dinner smile after dessert.
• She wore a turkey dinner smile when the test was over.
Other ways to say: Happy face, satisfied look
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the full, happy feeling after a Thanksgiving feast.
Usage: Used when someone looks content and pleased.
34. Turkey Drop
Meaning: A breakup that happens during Thanksgiving break.
Example Sentence:
• She got the turkey drop when she came home from college.
• Many couples face the turkey drop during the holiday season.
Other ways to say: Holiday breakup, seasonal split
Fun Fact/Origin: A modern American college term for breakups that happen in November.
Usage: Used when talking about relationships ending around Thanksgiving.
35. Turkey Call
Meaning: An attempt to get attention.
Example Sentence:
• His big speech was just a turkey call for support.
• The advertisement was a turkey call to shoppers.
Other ways to say: Appeal, shout-out
Fun Fact/Origin: Named after the device hunters use to imitate turkey sounds.
Usage: Used when trying to attract people’s attention.
Quiz: Idioms About Turkeys
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Only one is correct.
Question Key
1. If someone says “Let’s talk turkey,” what do they mean?
A) Let’s order lunch
B) Let’s speak honestly and directly
C) Let’s argue about something
2. What does “cold turkey” mean?
A) Eating leftover turkey from the fridge
B) Stopping a habit suddenly
C) Feeling shy in public
3. If a game was a “turkey shoot,” what happened?
A) It was an easy win
B) It was a very close match
C) It was boring and slow
4. If you are “stuffed like a turkey,” how do you feel?
A) Very full after eating
B) Very angry
C) Very tired
5. “Jive turkey” describes a person who is:
A) Always telling the truth
B) Dishonest or full of nonsense
C) Very quiet and shy
6. What does “like a turkey voting for Thanksgiving” mean?
A) Making a choice that will harm yourself
B) Choosing the best possible option
C) Voting for something you love
7. If someone says “I’m turkeyed out,” what do they mean?
A) They want to eat more turkey
B) They are tired of turkey or have had too much
C) They just started eating turkey
8. A “turkey plan” is:
A) A smart, well-prepared plan
B) A silly or poorly thought-out idea
C) A plan to cook dinner
9. If someone is “running around like a turkey with its head cut off,” they are:
A) Calmly working on a project
B) Acting frantic and busy
C) Waiting patiently for help
10. A “turkey drop” means:
A) Dropping a cooked turkey on the floor
B) A breakup that happens during Thanksgiving break
C) A sale on turkeys at the grocery store
11. A “big turkey” is someone who:
A) Acts important but really isn’t
B) Cooks the best turkey in town
C) Is shy and quiet
12. If an event turns into a “turkey parade,” it means:
A) It’s filled with fast-moving action
B) It’s slow and awkward like a group of waddling turkeys
C) It’s very organized and quick
Answer Key
- B) Let’s speak honestly and directly
- B) Stopping a habit suddenly
- A) It was an easy win
- A) Very full after eating
- B) Dishonest or full of nonsense
- A) Making a choice that will harm yourself
- B) They are tired of turkey or have had too much
- B) A silly or poorly thought-out idea
- B) Acting frantic and busy
- B) A breakup that happens during Thanksgiving break
- A) Acts important but really isn’t
- B) It’s slow and awkward like a group of waddling turkeys
Wrapping Up
Turkeys are more than just a holiday meal in the USA. They’ve become part of everyday talk, from calling someone a “jive turkey” to saying you quit something “cold turkey.” These idioms make conversations more colorful and fun. Learning them helps you understand jokes, stories, and even casual chats among friends.
So next time you hear a turkey phrase, you’ll know exactly what it means—and maybe even use one yourself. Just remember, in American English, talking about turkeys isn’t always about dinner. Sometimes, it’s about being direct, pointing out a bad plan, or describing a funny situation.
