English Explanatory Dictionary

drink the Kool-Aid

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To come under the influence of a leader, organization, or movement to the point of believing uncritically in an espoused idea or ideology.

Word forms

drink the Kool-Aid drinks the Kool-Aid drinking the Kool-Aid drank the Kool-Aid drunk the Kool-Aid drink the Kool Aid

Etymology

Referring to the Peoples Temple cult movement, whose members committed mass suicide in 1978 by drinking a powdered drink mix (popularly, but erroneously, believed to be Kool-Aid) laced with cyanide.

Related words

brainwash take the red pill Jonestown
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