out cold

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One minute you’re talking, the next you’re out cold.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

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

From Science Daily • Jan. 15, 2026

"I was knocked out cold and then after a couple of minutes you come around," he says.

From BBC • May 8, 2024

Just when it seems that B.J. is out cold, his eyes fly open and he reaches, grabs, twists.

From New York Times • Jul. 16, 2023

I tried rousting them by leaning into them and whispering, “Velia, Delia, wake up. Wake up girls,” but they were out cold, so I closed my eyes and prayed.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall