killer instinct

killer instinct

An innate or intuitive inclination and ability to do whatever is necessary in order to succeed, no matter how ruthless. She has the killer instinct needed to claw her way to the top of the industry. You've got book smarts, kid, but you'll never make it as a lawyer if you don't have a killer instinct.
See also: instinct, killer
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

killer instinct

Cliché an inborn desire or ability to be ruthless. Fred has a real killer instinct. He's a difficult boss to work for.
See also: instinct, killer
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • second nature
  • second nature to
  • have a nose for
  • have a nose for (something)
  • have a nose for something
  • nose
  • nose for
  • a nose for (something)
  • a nose for something
  • born to (be or do something)
References in periodicals archive
You see kids come in the gym, they want to hurt somebody: right away, you know that is killer instinct.
According to the Express Tribune, ahead of the team's two-match Test series starting on October 14, Khan advised the team management and players to bring a positive attitude, killer instinct to combat South Africa, adding that selection based on merit is also a must.
NOT AT THEIR BEST: Middlesbrough Roller Hockey team, right, travelled to Grimsby, but lacked their usual killer instinct and went down 6-3, but won't let their defeat ruin future chances
This is only screening at Cineworld Broad Street, while Killer Instinct has now moved on to Warwick Arts Centre.
"If you don't have a killer instinct you can create 20 million chances - but if you don't score then you are always in danger.
DARLINGTON manager Dave Penney admits his side's lack of killer instinct is starting to concern him.
***1/2 Killer Instinct By Joseph Finder A corporate thriller.
PROUD KILLER became the first winner for his sire Killer Instinct when landing the Army Benevolent Fund Maiden Stakes at Chepstow yesterday.
Topping off the year in gaming, this month the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York presents "Killer Instinct," which includes game artists Brody Condon and Paul Johnson, among others.
Stage roles led to action films with titles like Killer Instinct and Breaking Point and then to Days of Our Lives.
Stourbridge manager Mark Harrison was left bemoaning the lack of a killer instinct as they missed an opportunity to improve their title challenge.
Projected sell-through for Killer Instinct is more than two million units by the end of December, according to Peter Main, Nintendo's executive vice president of sales and marketing.
La Salle's killer instinct is slowly getting into deadly sharpness, mercilessly striking down a fumbling University of the Philippines, 25-15, 25-19, 25-19, Wednesday to claim the solo lead in the UAAP women's volleyball at Filoil Flying V Centre.
MIDFIELDER Bastian Schweinsteiger claims Manchester United must show a "killer instinct" at Wolfsburg to keep alive their Champions League dream.
Killer Instinct's MACHINE ($849.99; www.hawkhunting.com) offer's two industry-first features.