put someone out of their misery
put (someone or something) out of its/(one's) misery
1. To kill someone or something as a means to ending suffering. Considering the dog's extensive wounds, the vet encouraged us to put him out of his misery.
2. To quell one's curiosity. Oh, just put me out of my misery and tell me how the movie ends!
See also: misery, of, out, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
put someone out of their misery
1. If you put someone out of their misery, you end a situation which is causing them to suffer, usually by telling them something they have been waiting anxiously to hear. Manager Ron Smith yesterday put young player Dom Kennedy out of his misery by handing him a new contract. A-level students waiting for their results were put out of their misery this morning.
2. If someone puts a person out of their misery, they deliberately kill them because they are suffering, usually from an illness that cannot be cured. His attorney today welcomed such a trial, predicting that no jury would ever convict the doctor for `putting suffering people out of their misery'. There were at least a dozen pills in the bottle, surely enough to put her out of her misery. Note: This expression is usually used to show that the speaker or writer approves of or is sympathetic towards this action.
See also: misery, of, out, put, someone
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
put someone out of their misery
release someone from suspense or anxiety, especially by telling them something they are anxious to know. informalSee also: misery, of, out, put, someone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- put (someone or something) out of its/(one's) misery
- put out of misery
- put some creature out of its misery
- put somebody/something out of their/its misery
- put someone out of his or her misery
- put something out of its misery
- have a dog's chance
- dinner
- bite on (something or someone)
- bite on someone