cold blood
Deliberate, emotionless manner
Cold blood describes a state of deliberate calm during violent or ruthless acts—killing without passion, rage, or provocation.
The witness testified that the defendant shot the victim in cold blood.
The phrase contrasts with hot blood, where emotion drives action.
Cold-blooded as an adjective applies to both calculated cruelty and animals whose body temperature matches their environment.
Advance planning of action
- maliceIntent to cause harm
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- assassinationMurder of a prominent figure
- homicideCausing another's death
calculated · ruthless · merciless · heartless · inhuman · cruelty · brutality · execution
Separation or emotional uninvolvement
- dispassionFreedom from emotional bias
- coolnessCalm self-possession
- calmnessPeaceful mental state
- impassivityUnresponsiveness to stimuli
stoicism · aloofness · nonchalance · imperturbability · equanimity · self-control · poise · steadiness
premeditation
Advance planning of action
- maliceIntent to cause harm
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- assassinationMurder of a prominent figure
homicide · calculated · ruthless · merciless · heartless · inhuman · cruelty · brutality · execution · slaying
detachment
Separation or emotional uninvolvement
- dispassionFreedom from emotional bias
- coolnessCalm self-possession
- calmnessPeaceful mental state
impassivity · stoicism · aloofness · nonchalance · imperturbability · equanimity · self-control · poise · steadiness · level-headedness
- temperature idiomshot head, in hot water, hot under the collar, cool as a cucumber, hot potato
- criminal intentmens rea, guilty mind, criminal intent, intent, malice aforethought
- animal featuresbeaks, scales, antlers, fur, ears
- competitive drivecompetitiveness, determination, drive, killer instinct, will to win
- adaptationsfilm adaptation, film adaptations, movie adaptation, TV adaptation, TV adaptations
- reptile anatomyskeleton, bones, lungs, skull, ribs
cold bloodhot blood
Passionate, impulsive nature
passion · rage · fury · blind rage · heat of passion
cold bloodprovocation
Act that triggers response
crime of passion · temporary insanity · diminished capacity · self-defense · extenuating circumstances
cold bloodimpulse
Sudden urge to act
heat of the moment · crime of passion · provocation · fit of rage · knee-jerk reaction
cold, blood, cooled, cold-blooded, chilliness, coldhearted, warm-blooded, cold-bloodedly, cold-bloodedness