kill (redirected from goes for the kill)

close in for the kill and move in for the kill 

1. Lit. to move in on someone or something for the purpose of killing. The wolves closed in for the kill. When the lions closed in for the kill, the zebras began to stampede.

2. Fig. to get ready to do the final and climactic part of something. The car salesman closed in for the kill with contract and pen in hand.

See also: close

dressed to kill and dressed (up) fit to kill

Fig. dressed in fancy or stylish clothes. (See also dressed (up) fit to kill.) Wow, look at Sally! She's really dressed to kill. A person doesn't go on vacation dressed to kill. When Joe came to pick Mary up for the movie, he was dressed up fit to kill and carrying a dozen roses.

See also: dress

even if it kills me

Fig. [pledging to do something] even if [doing it] is very difficult. Don't worry. I will get it done even if it kills me.

See also: even, if

fit to kill

Rur. a great deal; to the highest possible degree. We laughed fit to kill when we saw the expression on Jim's face. I had my car gussied up fit to kill.

See also: fit

have (some) time to kill

Fig. to have extra time; to have a period of time with nothing to do. Whenever you have some time to kill, call me up and we'll chat.

See also: have, time

if looks could kill

a catchphrase said when someone makes a frown at someone or when someone casts a dirty look. Did you see the way she looked at me? If looks could kill... If looks could kill... What a nasty glare she gave me.

See also: could, if, look

in at the kill and in on the kill 

1. Lit. present and participating in the killing of prey. The baby cheetah wanted to be in on the kill.

2. Fig. involved at the final moment of something in order to share in the spoils. At the end of the battle, everyone wanted to be in at the kill. The press packed the room, wanting to be in on the kill of the governor's resignation.

It is not work that kills, but worry.

Prov. Working hard will not hurt you, but worrying too much is bad for your health. Nancy: You've been working so many hours every day, I'm afraid you'll get sick. Bill: It's not work that kills, but worry.

See also: but, work, worry

It is the pace that kills.

Prov. Trying to do too much too fast is bad for you. Nancy: I hate college. Bill: Why? Is the subject material too difficult? Nancy: No, they just expect me to learn too much of it too fast. It is the pace that kills.

See also: pace

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.

kill someone with kindness

Fig. to be enormously kind to someone. You are just killing me with kindness. Why? Don't kill them with kindness.

See also: kindness

kill for something

Sl. to be willing to go to extremes to get something that one really wants or needs. (An exaggeration.) I could kill for a cold beer.

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: fat

Kill the goose that lays the golden egg(s).

Prov. To destroy something that is profitable to you. Fred's wife knew he wasn't happy in his job, even though it paid well; still, she felt that advising him to leave it would be killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

See also: egg, golden, goose, lay

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: 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, one, stone, two

look fit to kill

Fig. [dressed up] to look very fancy or sexy. Mary put on her best clothes and looked fit to kill. John looked fit to kill in his new tuxedo.

See also: fit, look

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be dressed to kill

to be wearing clothes which are intended to make people sexually attracted to you Rosie emerged from the house, dressed to kill and clutching a bottle of champagne.

See also: dress

If looks could kill...

something that you say in order to describe the unpleasant or angry way in which someone looked at you I'll never forget the expression on her face when she saw me with Pete. If looks could kill...

See also: could, if, look

kill somebody with kindness

to be too kind to someone Rob's killing me with kindness - he phones me all the time to see if I'm alright when really I just need to be left alone.

See also: kindness

kill or cure  (British & Australian)

a way of solving a problem which will either fail completely or be very successful Having a baby can be kill or cure for a troubled marriage.

See also: cure

kill the fatted calf

to celebrate in order to welcome a friend or relative that you have not seen for a long time

Usage notes: This phrase comes from a story in the Bible when a father killed a young cow in order to celebrate the return of his son who he thought was dead.

Annie's coming home, let's kill the fatted calf!

See also: fat

kill the goose that lays the golden egg

to destroy something that makes a lot of money If you sell your shares now, you could be killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

See also: egg, golden, goose, lay

kill time

to do something which is not very useful or interesting while you are waiting for time to pass We usually play guessing games to kill time at airports.

See also: time

kill two birds with one stone

to manage to do two things at the same time instead of just one, because it is convenient to do both I killed two birds with one stone and saw some old friends while I was in Leeds visiting my parents.

See also: bird, one, stone, two

move in for the kill  also go (in) for the kill

to prepare to defeat someone completely in an argument or competition when they are already in a weak position After two days of constant media coverage, journalists sensed the minister was weakening and they moved in for the kill. At 6-3 6-2 up, Sampras went in for the kill and won the final set 6-0.

See run out the clock

See also: move

run out the clock  (American & Australian) also kill the clock (American)

to keep the ball away from the team competing against you at the end of a game so that they cannot score any points The Pistons thought they were running out the clock but lost the ball and the game in the last nine seconds.

See race against the clock, watch the clock, work against the clock

See also: clock, out, run

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dressed to kill

wearing clothes that are intended to make people notice you The crowd was young, hip, and dressed to kill.

See also: dress

in for the kill

intending the complete destruction of someone or something The president promised not to raise taxes, and now that they've been raised, his political enemies are moving in for the kill.

Usage notes: used with move, close, swoop, and other verbs meaning move

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of in for the kill ( involved in the death of an animal)

kill somebody with kindness

to get what you want by being very kind to another person While most coaches can be very tough, ours kills his players with kindness.

See also: kindness

kill time

to do something while waiting We were early for our appointment, so we killed time at a bookstore.

See also: time

kill two birds with one stone

to do two things at the same time using the effort needed to do only one I killed two birds with one stone and saw some old friends while I was in Louisiana visiting my parents.

See also: bird, one, stone, two