killing

(a body part) is killing (one)

A particular body part is causing one pain. Ugh, my head is killing me—do you have any Advil? Phil's back is killing him, so he went back to the hotel to lie down.
See also: body, killing

kill (one) with kindness

To harm, inconvenience, or bother one by treating them with excessive favor or kindness. The phrase originated as the expression "kill with kindness as fond apes do their young," referring to the notion that such animals sometimes crushed their offspring by hugging them too hard. I love talking to Grandma, but she calls me twice a day to see how I'm doing—right now she's killing me with kindness.
See also: kill, kindness

kill (oneself)

1. To commit suicide. Once John realized he had begun to have thoughts of killing himself, he decided to seek help.
2. To bring about one's death by performing a particular action. This phrase can be said when one's life is or could be in danger, but it is often used hyperbolically. I can hardly breathe—I'm going to kill myself if I go back on the treadmill right now! If they try driving home in this snow, they'll kill themselves—tell them to get a hotel room for the night.
3. To overexert oneself. I know you want to get the report done tonight, but don't kill yourself—it's not even due until next week! They're killing themselves finishing the last touches on the exterior of the house before the storm hits us.
See also: kill

kill (oneself) (doing something)

To overexert oneself or overextend one's effort while doing something. Don't kill yourself trying to get the report done tonight—it's not due until next week anyway. They're killing themselves finishing the last touches on the exterior of the house before the storm hits us.
See also: kill

kill (oneself) laughing

To laugh hysterically and uncontrollably. The comedian had the whole audience killing themselves laughing. My ribs actually hurt from it! I was surprised by how funny my date was last night. I was killing myself laughing at some of her stories!
See also: kill, laugh

kill a fly with an elephant gun

To take excessive, overcomplicated, or extravagant means or force to accomplish something relatively minor or simple. With this new system of issuing licenses, the government is trying to kill a fly with an elephant gun. Four separate departments now handle each stage of an application, when a single department could easily process applications from start to finish. Look, you've got some money issues, sure, but filing for bankruptcy would be killing a fly with an elephant gun.
See also: elephant, fly, gun, kill

kill off

1. To kill or eradicate someone or something in large numbers. A noun or pronoun can be used between "kill" and "off." Hey, we're only trying to kill off the weeds here—be careful around my flowers!
2. To kill a character in a work of fiction. A noun or pronoun can be used between "kill" and "off." I can't believe they killed off my favorite character in the season finale.
3. To end or remove something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "kill" and "off." We were supposed to go to the water park today, but the kids killed that off with their repeated temper tantrums. Can we do anything to kill off this smoky smell?
See also: kill, off

kill outright

To kill (a person or animal) immediately or instantly. A noun or pronoun can be used between "kill" and "outright." The trap is designed to kill outright so as to cause as little pain to the animal as possible. The poison doesn't kill you outright. Instead, it slowly works its way through your body, causing organs to shut down as it goes. He was killed outright by the force of the impact.
See also: kill, outright

kill the clock

In sports, to protect a lead by using up as much possible time that remains in a game or match without giving the opposing team a chance to score, generally by maintaining a passive or defensive strategy. With just a narrow two-point lead, the home team is trying to kill the clock to hold out for a win. I don't know, Jim, there's a lot of game time left for them to start killing the clock.
See also: clock, kill

kill the fatted calf

To prepare a lavish celebration, often to welcome someone back from a long absence. The phrase comes from the Biblical parable of the prodigal son, in which a father prepares a feast for his son who has returned home after squandering his fortune. My daughter is coming home from college for the summer, so we're going to kill the fatted calf and have a huge barbecue.
See also: calf, fat, kill

kill the goose that lays the golden egg(s)

To ruin or destroy something that brings one wealth. Firing the programmer who created your most successful app is like killing the goose that lays the golden egg.
See also: golden, goose, kill, lay, that

kill the rabbit

obsolete slang To receive a positive result on a pregnancy test. (From an early pregnancy test developed in 1931 in which the urine of a woman thought to be pregnant was injected into a female rabbit; if the woman was pregnant, the rabbit's ovaries would react. A common misconception at the time was that the rabbit would die if the woman was pregnant, hence the expression.) My grandmother told me that my mother had killed the rabbit. When I asked what she meant, she said that there would soon be another baby in our family, which left me even more confused!
See also: kill, rabbit

kill time

To engage in an activity, usually a rather aimless or idle one, with the goal of making time seem to pass more quickly or less slowly. I'm going to walk down to the bookstore to kill time before my flight. Do you want anything? It used to be that people killed time at the train station by talking to each other, but now everyone is nose-deep in their phone.
See also: kill, time

kill two birds with one stone

To complete, achieve, or take care of two tasks at the same time or with a singular series of actions; to solve two problems with one action or solution. I might as well kill two birds with one stone and drop off my tax forms while I'm at the mall for the computer part I need. Bike-to-work schemes are a great way of killing two birds with one stone: getting more exercise while cutting down on the cost of your daily commute.
See also: bird, kill, one, stone, two

make a killing

To earn a large profit. We can make a killing on these toys if we're able to market them in time for the holidays. It's very rare for someone to make a killing on their first investment—it takes a lot of time and patience.
See also: killing, make

make a quick killing

To earn a large profit in a short period of time. Investing takes a lot of time and patience—it's not the type of area where you'll make a quick killing.
See also: killing, make, quick

the killing season

rude slang The supposed rise in medical mistakes that occurs at the same time as newly-qualified doctors begin to treat patients, usually in early August. Primarily heard in US. I'm doubly worried about my dad. Not only does he have to have emergency surgery, but he's having it during the killing season—he's being treated by some doctor who's younger than I am!
See also: killing, season
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

go at something like a boy killing snakes

Rur. to do something with a great deal of energy. Once Mary decided to take that test, she went at her books like a boy killing snakes. I hired Joe to weed my garden, and he went at it like a boy killing snakes.
See also: boy, go, killing, like, snake

kill (someone or an animal) off

to kill all of a group of people or creatures. Lefty set out to kill Max and his boys off. Something killed off all the dinosaurs.
See also: kill, off

kill the fatted calf

Fig. to prepare an elaborate banquet (in someone's honor). (From the biblical story recounting the return of the prodigal son.) When Bob got back from college, his parents killed the fatted calf and threw a great party. Sorry this meal isn't much, John. We didn't have time to kill the fatted calf.
See also: calf, fat, kill

kill time

Fig. to use something up, especially time. I killed time reading a novel. The employees were not encouraged to kill time.
See also: kill, time

kill two birds with one stone

Fig. to solve two problems at one time with a single action. John learned the words to his part in the play while peeling potatoes. He was killing two birds with one stone. I have to cash a check and make a payment on my bank loan. I'll kill two birds with one stone by doing them both in one trip to the bank.
See also: bird, kill, one, stone, two

make a killing

Fig. to have a great success, especially in making money. John has got a job selling insurance. He's not exactly making a killing. Bill made a killing at the racetrack yesterday.
See also: killing, make

something is killing someone

Fig. something is causing someone pain. Wow, my feet are killing me!
See also: killing
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

kill off

1. Render extinct, eliminate completely, as in The plague killed off entire villages and towns. [c. 1600]
2. Represent as dead, as in This mystery writer kills off a new victim in almost every chapter. [Mid-1800s]
See also: kill, off

kill the fatted calf

Prepare for a joyful occasion or a warm welcome. For example, When Bill comes home from his trip to Korea we're going to kill the fatted calf. This expression alludes to the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), whose father welcomed him by serving the choicest calf after his return. [Early 1600s]
See also: calf, fat, kill

kill time

Pass time aimlessly. For example, There was nothing to do, so I sat around killing time until dinner was ready. This idiom was first recorded about 1768.
See also: kill, time

kill two birds with one stone

Achieve two ends with a single effort, as in As long as I was in town on business, I thought I'd kill two birds and visit my uncle too . This expression is so well known that it is often shortened, as in the example. [c. 1600]
See also: bird, kill, one, stone, two

make a killing

Enjoy a large and quick profit, as in They made a killing in real estate. This expression alludes to a hunter's success. [Slang; late 1800s]
See also: killing, make

more than one way to skin a cat

More than one method to reach the same end, as in We can get around that by renting instead of buying a computer-there's more than one way to skin a cat . This expression may be an American version of the earlier British more ways of killing a cat, but why the death of a cat should be alluded to at all is not clear. [Second half of 1800s]
See also: cat, more, one, skin, way
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

kill two birds with one stone

If you kill two birds with one stone, you manage to achieve two things at the same time. We can talk about Union Hill while I get this business over with. Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. He had been on his way to the vegetable man's van, both to purchase some cucumbers for his mother and — to kill two birds with one stone — to seek out Mr Halloran.
See also: bird, kill, one, stone, two

kill the fatted calf

If you kill the fatted calf, you do everything you can to welcome back a person who has been away for a period of time. He went away for year, and when he returned, his family didn't exactly kill the fatted calf. Note: This expression comes from the story of the prodigal son which is told by Jesus in the Bible (Luke 5:3-32). In this story, a young man returns home after wasting all the money his father has given him. However, his father is so pleased to see him that he celebrates his return by killing a calf and preparing a feast.
See also: calf, fat, kill

make a killing

COMMON If someone makes a killing, they make a large profit very quickly and easily. The boss of Britain's top pizza company made a killing yesterday by selling off some of his shares. If there is uncertainty about future gold prices, you could be lucky and make a killing.
See also: killing, make
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

kill the fatted calf

produce a lavish celebratory feast.
The allusion is to the New Testament story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32), in which the forgiving father orders his best calf to be killed in order to provide a feast to celebrate the return of his wayward son. Fatted is an archaic form of the verb fat meaning ‘make or become fat’. Nowadays we use the forms fatten and fattened .
See also: calf, fat, kill

kill time

do things to make time seem to pass more quickly and to avoid getting bored, especially while waiting for something.
See also: kill, time

kill two birds with one stone

achieve two aims at once.
See also: bird, kill, one, stone, two

make a killing

have a great financial success, especially on a stock exchange.
See also: killing, make
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌkill the fatted ˈcalf

welcome home somebody who has been away for a long time by having a big celebration: My brother’s coming home tomorrow, so I expect my parents will be killing the fatted calf for him.This is from a story in the Bible, in which a father arranges a special meal when his son returns to the family after a long time away. A fatted calf is a young cow that has been given extra food to make it fat.
See also: calf, fat, kill

kill two birds with one ˈstone

manage to achieve two aims by doing one thing: If we have to go to Manchester for the meeting, then let’s visit Auntie Joan on the way there. We can kill two birds with one stone.
See also: bird, kill, one, stone, two

ˌmake a ˈkilling

(informal) make a lot of money quickly: He was clever. He invested a lot of money in property. When prices went up, he made a killing. OPPOSITE: lose your shirt
See also: killing, make
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

kill off

v.
1. To destroy some form of life in such large numbers that none is left: The poisonous chemicals have killed off the fish that once lived in this pond. The pesticides killed the crops off.
2. To destroy or eliminate something, especially plans, ideas, or activities: Your insolent behavior has killed off any desire I might have had to help you. The disinfectant killed the odor off.
See also: kill, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

killing

n. a great financial success. Sally made a real killing in the stock market.

make a killing

tv. to make an enormous profit; to become an enormous success. I wanted to make a killing as a banker, but it didn’t work out.
See also: killing, make
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

killing pace, a

An extremely fast or hectic rate. Originally referring to the breakneck speed of a horse or human being, leading to exhaustion, this expression was by the mid-nineteenth century being transferred to any human endeavor. “You can’t keep up the pace . . . it will kill you,” wrote Thackeray (Pendennis, 1850).
See also: killing

the suspense is killing me

I can’t wait to learn the outcome. This hyperbole of impatience is a twentieth-century expression of an age-old idea. “Suspense in news is torture, speak them out,” wrote John Milton (Samson Agonistes, 1671). Jonathan Swift claimed, “It is a miserable thing to live in suspense; it is the life of a spider” (Thoughts on Various Subjects, 1714), and F. E. Smedley wrote, “Suspense, that toothache of the mind” (Frank Fairlegh, 1850).
See also: killing, suspense
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer

kill the fatted calf

To hold a celebration, usually a long-awaited homecoming. Luke 15:23 describes the return of the prodigal son as, “And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry . . .” Although the guest of honor in the biblical parable was a wastrel whose father welcomed home, “to kill the fatted calf” can refer to a party for anyone whom the host is pleased to see.
See also: calf, fat, kill
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • (a body part) is killing (one)
  • come back and see us
  • be/go back to square one
  • back
  • back at (something or some place)
  • back to square one
  • a while back
  • back door
  • be back on the rails
  • crawl back to (one)
References in periodicals archive
For centuries, the result of that harsh, unforgiving code has been death--the killings of girls and women by relatives in order to cleanse honor that has been soiled.
After all, wouldn't killing Gacy at the very least offer some solace to the suffering of the families of his victims?
Medicide therefore means "killing doctors" or "killing medicine" (in Latin, doctor is medicus, and medicine is medicina).
At minimum, a handgun ban would prevent the escalation of killings in segments of society that have not yet been saturated by handgun manufacturers.
Jack Shelmerdine 77 28/11/79 In hospital Unlawful killing
Okoli explained that the deceased, popularly called Ire, was shot and killed at Sunnyside Pretoria, South Africa in what appeared like a cult related killing. 'There has been a spate of cult killing among Nigerians, that had claimed so many lives, as many as no fewer than 25 Nigerians lost their lives over a period of fewer than two years.
'There is no word like extrajudicial killings but we have unlawful killings by police officers.
The senator also suggested that a 'grand cover-up' is behind the killings.
Feb 23: In an audacious attack, armed militants ambushed a Cordon and Search Operation Party killing 3 soldiers of 44 RR and wounding five others in Mulu Chitragam area of Shopian district.
KR is an agent-relative rule because it gives each agent a special concern with acts of killing that she might perform, requiring her not to kill an innocent person even if doing so can prevent more killings by others.
Howard Unruh, a World War II veteran, walks the streets of Camden killing random people.
First, more often than previously appreciated, we observed wolves killing more than one deer in a single location during a single night (see Fig.
"Some say he was shot by a family member in an act of honor killing; some say he was shot by those so-called death squads," Hussein says.
Iraqi Army soldiers and Marines returned fire, killing eight insurgents and wounding another."