cold-cock

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To hit someone with a cold cock.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English
Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To hit someone with a club, bottle, or any object that gives additional force to the blow.

Register: slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To knock someone unconscious.

Register: slang

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “cold-cock” mean?

To hit someone with a cold cock.

Is “cold-cock” formal or informal?

cold-cock is generally slang.