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Idioms are fun phrases where the words together mean something totally different from what they say one by one. People use them to make talking and writing more colorful, exciting, and full of life. Today, you are going to learn a bunch of helpful idioms that all have to do with killing someone or causing a fatal end.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms for killing someone that mean ending a life, causing death, and fatal acts. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Killing Someone
1. Rub out
Meaning: To eliminate or murder someone completely.
For Example: In old detective stories, the villain wanted to rub out his rival. / The gangster threatened to rub out anyone who told the police.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / Murder
2. Take for a ride
Meaning: To drive someone to a secret place in order to kill them.
For Example: The mobsters planned to take him for a ride down by the river. / He realized he was in danger when they said they would take him for a ride.
Other Ways to Say: Drive to execution / Murder secretly
3. Sleep with the fishes
Meaning: A classic phrase meaning to be killed and thrown into the ocean.
For Example: The criminal warned that anyone who crossed him would sleep with the fishes. / In the old movie, the informant ended up sleeping with the fishes.
Other Ways to Say: Drowned in the sea / Dead in the water
4. Put out a hit
Meaning: To pay a professional criminal to murder someone.
For Example: The wealthy enemy decided to put out a hit on the detective. / The police discovered someone had put out a hit on the witness.
Other Ways to Say: Hire a killer / Contract murder
5. Bump off
Meaning: To murder or kill someone in a planned attack.
For Example: The greedy character plotted to bump off his uncle for the inheritance. / The spies were sent to bump off the enemy leader.
Other Ways to Say: Eliminate / Kill
6. Do away with
Meaning: To get rid of or kill someone permanently.
For Example: The evil ruler wanted to do away with anyone who disagreed with him. / They planned to do away with the guard to escape the castle.
Other Ways to Say: Eliminate / Destroy
7. Send to kingdom come
Meaning: To kill someone and send them to the afterlife.
For Example: The villain threatened to send his enemy straight to kingdom come. / The explosive blast nearly sent everyone in the room to kingdom come.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / End life
8. Blow away
Meaning: To shoot and kill someone with a gun.
For Example: The outlaw threatened to blow away the sheriff if he moved. / In the action movie, the hero promised to blow away the bad guys.
Other Ways to Say: Shoot dead / Execute
9. Finish off
Meaning: To completely destroy or kill a wounded or defeated person.
For Example: The monster tried to finish off the hero during the final battle. / The hunter aimed to finish off the beast quickly.
Other Ways to Say: Kill completely / Destroy
10. Put to death
Meaning: To execute someone legally or criminally as a punishment.
For Example: Ancient laws required criminals to be put to death for major crimes. / The court ruled that the traitor be put to death.
Other Ways to Say: Execute / Sentence to death
11. Liquidate
Meaning: A cold, businesslike term for murdering or eliminating someone.
For Example: The secret agency ordered them to liquidate the double agent. / The corrupt boss wanted to liquidate his partners.
Other Ways to Say: Eliminate / Murder
12. Off someone
Meaning: A slang expression meaning to murder someone.
For Example: The hired criminal was paid to off the wealthy businessman. / He threatened to off his partner if the secret leaked.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / Murder
13. Snuff out
Meaning: To extinguish a life suddenly, like putting out a candle.
For Example: The sudden illness threatened to snuff out his young life. / The assassin planned to snuff out the target in the dark.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / End life
14. Take someone’s life
Meaning: The literal act of causing someone to die.
For Example: The reckless driver’s mistake ended up taking someone’s life on the highway. / Taking someone’s life is the most serious crime imaginable.
Other Ways to Say: Kill someone / Murder
15. Make away with
Meaning: To kill or destroy someone, or steal and escape.
For Example: The cruel bandit plotted to make away with the village elder. / They tried to make away with the evidence after the crime.
Other Ways to Say: Eliminate / Kill
16. Put a bullet in
Meaning: To shoot someone with a firearm to cause death.
For Example: The outlaw threatened to put a bullet in anyone who entered. / In the western film, the hero put a bullet in the villain’s gun hand.
Other Ways to Say: Shoot / Kill
17. Terminate
Meaning: To end someone’s life in a cold, calculated manner.
For Example: The sci-fi robot was programmed to terminate its target. / The spy received orders to terminate the double agent.
Other Ways to Say: Eliminate / Kill
18. Send to the great beyond Meaning: To cause someone to die and pass into the afterlife.
Meaning: To cause someone to die and pass into the afterlife.
For Example: The dangerous duel threatened to send both fighters to the great beyond. / The poison was meant to send the king to the great beyond.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / End life
19. Slay Meaning: To kill someone violently, often used in stories and myths.
Meaning: To kill someone violently, often used in stories and myths.
For Example: The brave knight set out to slay the fierce dragon in its cave. / In the legend, the hero had to slay the giant.
Other Ways toSay: Kill / Destroy
20. Slaughter Meaning: To kill people or animals brutally and in large numbers.
Meaning: To kill people or animals brutally and in large numbers.
For Example: The invading army threatened to slaughter the village inhabitants. / Historical battles often saw soldiers slaughtering enemies.
Other Ways to Say: Butchering / Mass killing
21. Massacre Meaning: To commit a brutal and violent mass killing of people.
Meaning: To commit a brutal and violent mass killing of people.
For Example: The ruthless pirates planned to massacre everyone on the ship. / History books record the tragic events where soldiers would massacre towns.
Other Ways to Say: Butchery / Mass murder
22. Butcher Meaning: To brutally and messily kill a person or animal.
Meaning: To brutally and messily kill a person or animal.
For Example: The horror movie villain began to butcher his victims in the woods. / Pirates would butcher anyone who opposed their captain.
Other Ways to Say: Slaughter / Brutal kill
23. Cut down Meaning: To kill someone suddenly, often in battle or surprise.
Meaning: To kill someone suddenly, often in battle or surprise.
For Example: The soldier was cut down by enemy fire during the charge. / The assassin’s blade cut down the guard silently.
Other Ways to Say: Strike down / Kill
24. Strike down Meaning: To cause someone to die suddenly through force or disease.
Meaning: To cause someone to die suddenly through force or disease.
For Example: The mysterious illness threatened to strike down the king. / Lightning could strike down anyone standing under the tall tree.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / Smite
25. Put down like a dog Meaning: To kill a person or animal mercilessly and coldly.
Meaning: To kill a person or animal mercilessly and coldly.
For Example: The ruthless gang boss threatened to put him down like a dog. / The cruel outlaw put down his horse like a dog when it tired.
Other Ways to Say: Kill mercilessly / Execute coldly
26. Silence permanently Meaning: To murder someone so they can never speak again.
Meaning: To murder someone so they can never speak again.
For Example: The criminal plotted to silence permanently the sole witness of the crime. / They needed to silence permanently anyone who knew the password.
Other Ways to Say: Murder / Eliminate
27. Executing a target Meaning: Carrying out a planned murder of a specific person.
Meaning: Carrying out a planned murder of a specific person.
For Example: The secret agent specialized in executing a target without leaving traces. / Planning the mission involved executing a target safely.
Other Ways to Say: Planned murder / Assassination
28. Deliver a death blow Meaning: To deal the final, fatal attack that kills someone.
Meaning: To deal the final, fatal attack that kills someone.
For Example: The knight raised his sword to deliver a death blow to the beast. / The boxer delivered a death blow with his final punch.
Other Ways to Say: Fatal strike / Killing hit
29. Snuff out life Meaning: To cause someone to die abruptly.
Meaning: To cause someone to die abruptly.
For Example: The falling rock threatened to snuff out life in an instant. / Cruel wars snuff out life for countless innocent people.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / End life
30. Extinguish a life Meaning: To end someone’s existence permanently.
Meaning: To end someone’s existence permanently.
For Example: The ruthless villain cared little about trying to extinguish a life. / Murderers extinguish a life for selfish reasons.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / End life
31. Cut short Meaning: To end someone’s life prematurely.
Meaning: To end someone’s life prematurely.
For Example: The tragic accident cut short the young athlete’s promising career. / Illness can cut short a person’s life unexpectedly.
Other Ways to Say: End early / Kill prematurely
32. Do someone in Meaning: A slang term meaning to murder or kill someone.
Meaning: A slang term meaning to murder or kill someone.
For Example: The detective suspected the butler wanted to do the owner in. / They threatened to do him in if he didn’t pay the money.
Other Ways to Say: Murder / Kill
33. Put an end to Meaning: To kill or destroy someone or something completely.
Meaning: To kill or destroy someone or something completely.
For Example: The hero vowed to put an end to the wicked sorcerer. / The police tracked down the criminal to put an end to his crimes.
Other Ways to Say: Destroy / Kill
34. Send to an early grave Meaning: To cause someone to die prematurely through stress or violence.
Meaning: To cause someone to die prematurely through stress or violence.
For Example: Constant worrying about money will send you to an early grave. / The stressful lifestyle threatened to send him to an early grave.
Other Ways to Say: Kill early / Cause early death
35. Take a life Meaning: The act of causing a human being to die.
Meaning: The act of causing a human being to die.
For Example: Soldiers in war are sometimes forced to take a life. / Taking a life carries heavy legal and moral consequences.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / Murder
36. Cause someone’s demise Meaning: To bring about the death or destruction of a person.
Meaning: To bring about the death or destruction of a person.
For Example: The villain plotted to cause someone’s demise during the banquet. / Jealousy led him to cause someone’s demise.
Other Ways to Say: Bring death / Kill
37. Send to the maker Meaning: To kill someone and send their soul to God.
Meaning: To kill someone and send their soul to God.
For Example: The old western duel threatened to send both men to their maker. / The vengeful pirate swore he would send his prisoner to his maker.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / End life
38. Dispatch Meaning: To kill someone quickly and efficiently.
Meaning: To kill someone quickly and efficiently.
For Example: The ninja used his sword to dispatch the guard silently. / The assassin knew how to dispatch targets without noise.
Other Ways to Say: Kill quickly / Eliminate
39. Liquidate a target Meaning: To murder an assigned person systematically.
Meaning: To murder an assigned person systematically.
For Example: The secret organization ordered him to liquidate a target in the city. / The mission required liquidating a target at midnight.
Other Ways to Say: Assassinate / Kill
40. Put to the sword Meaning: To kill someone using a sword during battle.
Meaning: To kill someone using a sword during battle.
For Example: The invading soldiers put to the sword everyone in the fortress. / Ancient warriors would put to the sword captured enemies.
Other Ways to Say: Execute with sword / Kill in battle
41. Run through Meaning: To stab someone through the body with a sword or blade.
Meaning: To stab someone through the body with a sword or blade.
For Example: The pirate threatened to run through anyone who stole his gold. / In the duel, he managed to run through his opponent.
Other Ways to Say: Stab / Kill with blade
42. Put out of their misery Meaning: To kill someone or an animal to end severe pain.
Meaning: To kill someone or an animal to end severe pain.
For Example: The injured deer was suffering, so the hunter decided to put it out of its misery. / In sci-fi stories, characters ask to be put out of their misery when mortally wounded.
Other Ways to Say: End suffering by death / Euthanize
43. Silence for good Meaning: To murder someone so they never speak again.
Meaning: To murder someone so they never speak again.
For Example: The mob boss ordered his men to silence for good the traitor. / They planned to kidnap and silence for good the witness.
Other Ways to Say: Murder permanently / Eliminate
44. Do away with life Meaning: To commit suicide or murder someone.
Meaning: To commit suicide or murder someone.
For Example: Despair caused him to think about how to do away with life. / Criminals sometimes threaten to do away with life for money.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / End existence
45. Give the final blow Meaning: To deal the last fatal strike that kills a person.
Meaning: To deal the last fatal strike that kills a person.
For Example: The hero stepped forward to give the final blow to the dragon. / The wrestler gave the final blow to win the match.
Other Ways to Say: Fatal strike / Killing hit
46. Snuff a life out Meaning: To end a person’s existence suddenly.
Meaning: To end a person’s existence suddenly.
For Example: A careless accident can snuff a life out in seconds. / The assassin aimed to snuff a life out quietly.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / End life
47. Smite Meaning: To kill or punish someone severely with a powerful blow.
Meaning: To kill or punish someone severely with a powerful blow.
For Example: Ancient myths told of gods who would smite disobedient mortals. / The hero raised his hammer to smite the goblin.
Other Ways to Say: Strike dead / Kill
48. Put out the candle of life Meaning: A poetic way of describing killing someone or dying.
Meaning: A poetic way of describing killing someone or dying.
For Example: The villain threatened to put out the candle of life for the captive. / Tragic stories often describe death as putting out the candle of life.
Other Ways to Say: End life / Kill poetically
49. Send to eternity Meaning: To kill someone and send them to the afterlife.
Meaning: To kill someone and send their soul to eternity.
For Example: The dangerous gunman threatened to send his rivals to eternity. / The duel was fought to send the loser to eternity.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / End life
50. Cause a fatality Meaning: To result in someone’s death through an act or accident.
Meaning: To result in someone’s death through an act or accident.
For Example: Drunk driving can easily cause a fatality on the road. / The explosion threatened to cause a fatality among workers.
Other Ways to Say: Result in death / Kill
51. Send to the morgue Meaning: To kill someone so their body must be taken to the morgue.
Meaning: To kill someone so their body must be taken to the morgue.
For Example: The angry mob threatened to send the trespasser straight to the morgue. / The detective joked that criminals would be sent to the morgue.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / Murder
52. Deal a mortal wound Meaning: To inflict an injury that results in someone’s death.
Meaning: To inflict an injury that results in someone’s death.
For Example: The arrow managed to deal a mortal wound to the beast. / In battle, soldiers tried not to let enemies deal a mortal wound.
Other Ways to Say: Fatal injury / Killing blow
53. Liquidate permanently Meaning: To execute or murder someone with total finality.
Meaning: To execute or murder someone with total finality.
For Example: The spy organization ordered to liquidate permanently the double agent. / They planned to liquidate permanently any obstacles in their way.
Other Ways to Say: Murder / Execute
54. Wipe off the face of the earth Meaning: To completely kill and destroy a person or group.
Meaning: To completely kill and destroy a person or group.
For Example: The villain boasted he would wipe the heroes off the face of the earth. / Armies fought to wipe their enemies off the face of the earth.
Other Ways to Say: Eradicate / Destroy completely
55. Eradicate Meaning: To destroy or kill completely, like pulling up by roots.
Meaning: To destroy or kill completely, like pulling up by roots.
For Example: The king ordered his guards to eradicate the rebel group. / Pest control works to eradicate harmful insects.
Other Ways to Say: Wipe out / Destroy
56. Exterminate Meaning: To destroy or kill a group of people or pests completely.
Meaning: To destroy or kill a group of people or pests completely.
For Example: Sci-fi robots often threaten to exterminate humanity. / The farmer hired someone to exterminate the pests in the barn.
Other Ways to Say: Wipe out / Kill all
57. Annihilate Meaning: To destroy or kill something completely so nothing remains.
Meaning: To destroy or kill something completely so nothing remains.
For Example: The superhero used his power to annihilate the alien threat. / The explosion threatened to annihilate the entire city block.
Other Ways to Say: Destroy completely / Obliterate
58. Obliterate Meaning: To destroy or kill so thoroughly that no trace is left.
Meaning: To destroy or kill so thoroughly that no trace is left.
For Example: The laser beam was powerful enough to obliterate any target. / The storm threatened to obliterate the small coastal village.
Other Ways to Say: Destroy / Wipe out
59. Eliminate Meaning: To remove or kill someone to solve a problem.
Meaning: To remove or kill someone to solve a problem.
For Example: The detective knew the killer wanted to eliminate the last witness. / The spy was assigned to eliminate the double agent.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / Remove
60. Put an end to a life Meaning: To cause a human being to stop living.
Meaning: To cause a human being to stop living.
For Example: Murderers choose to put an end to a life for selfish reasons. / Laws forbid anyone to put an end to a life unlawfully.
Other Ways to Say: Kill / Murder
Exercise to Practice
- In old detective stories, the villain wanted to ________ out his rival.
- The mobsters planned to ________ him for a ride down by the river.
- The criminal warned that anyone who crossed him would sleep with the ________.
- The wealthy enemy decided to put out a ________ on the detective.
- The greedy character plotted to ________ off his uncle for the inheritance.
- The evil ruler wanted to do ________ with anyone who disagreed with him.
- The villain threatened to send his enemy straight to kingdom ________.
- The outlaw threatened to ________ away the sheriff if he moved.
- The monster tried to ________ off the hero during the final battle.
- Ancient laws required criminals to be put to ________ for major crimes.
- The secret agency ordered them to ________ the double agent.
- The hired criminal was paid to ________ the wealthy businessman.
- The sudden illness threatened to ________ out his young life.
- The reckless driver’s mistake ended up ________ someone’s life on the highway.
- The cruel bandit plotted to make ________ with the village elder.
Answer Key
- rub
- take
- fishes
- hit
- bump
- away
- come
- blow
- finish
- death
- liquidate
- off
- snuff
- taking
- away
Conclusion
Learning idioms for killing someone helps you understand dramatic literature, crime fiction, and historical accounts much better. When you know what these phrases mean, you can comprehend serious contexts in stories and media.
Try noticing how authors use figurative language when reading suspenseful books or mysteries. Practicing vocabulary comprehension is a great way to improve your reading skills and make your understanding awesome.
