Enhance Your Vocabulary with 30 Collocations with Kill

Collocations are word combinations that naturally occur together, creating expressions that native speakers use daily. One of the most versatile words in English is “kill,” which is used in various contexts beyond its literal meaning. Understanding and mastering these collocations can significantly enhance your English fluency and comprehension. In this post, we’ll dive into 30 common collocations with kill, providing definitions, phonetic transcriptions, and examples to help you incorporate them into your everyday conversations.

Enhance Your Vocabulary 💀 30 Collocations with Kill

Whether you’re preparing for exams, improving your business English, or simply expanding your vocabulary, these collocations will give you a powerful toolset to express yourself more naturally and accurately. For additional resources to boost your language skills, check out our courses at Englezz Courses or explore our collection of English exercises online. Let’s get started!

#1. Kill time ⏳

Definition: To spend time doing something unproductive while waiting for something else.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl taɪm/

Examples:

• I played video games to kill time before the meeting started.
• She read a magazine to kill time during the long flight.

#2. Kill two birds with one stone 🎯

Definition: To accomplish two tasks with a single action.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl tuː bɜːrdz wɪð wʌn stoʊn/

Examples:

• By stopping at the grocery store on my way home, I killed two birds with one stone.
• The new app allows you to track your workouts and diet, killing two birds with one stone.

#3. Kill someone with kindness 💖

Definition: To overwhelm someone with excessive kindness or attention.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ˈsʌmwʌn wɪð ˈkaɪndnəs/

Examples:

• She killed him with kindness by offering him compliments all day.
• They tried to kill their critics with kindness during the event.

#4. Kill off 🪦

Definition: To eliminate or remove something completely.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ɒf/

Examples:

• The company plans to kill off the old product line next year.
• We need to kill off the invasive species to protect local wildlife.

#5. Kill a plan 🚫

Definition: To abandon or stop a plan from proceeding.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə plæn/

Examples:

• Budget cuts killed our plan for the new project.
• The weather forecast might kill our plan for a beach picnic.

#6. Kill the mood 🎭

Definition: To spoil the atmosphere or excitement in a situation.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ðə muːd/

Examples:

• His negative comments really killed the mood at the party.
• The sudden rainstorm killed the mood of our outdoor event.

#7. Kill a rumor 📉

Definition: To put an end to a false or unverified piece of information.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə ˈruːmər/

Examples:

• The official statement helped kill the rumor about the company’s closure.
• He tried to kill the rumor by providing evidence that contradicted it.

#8. Kill a deal 🤝

Definition: To cause an agreement or transaction to fall through.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə diːl/

Examples:

• The unexpected demands from the buyer killed the deal.
• A change in terms nearly killed the deal with the supplier.

#9. Kill the competition 🏆

Definition: To outperform or eliminate competitors.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ðə kɒmpəˈtɪʃən/

Examples:

• The new product’s features were designed to kill the competition.
• Her impressive presentation killed the competition at the pitch meeting.

#10. Kill it (slang) 🔥

Definition: To perform exceptionally well.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ɪt/

Examples:

• The band really killed it at the concert last night.
• She killed it in her job interview and got the offer.

#11. Kill an opportunity 🚀

Definition: To forfeit or miss out on a chance.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl æn ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪti/

Examples:

• He killed an opportunity for a promotion by missing the deadline.
• Letting the contract expire could kill the opportunity for future collaboration.

#12. Kill the engine 🛠️

Definition: To turn off a vehicle’s engine.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ði ˈɛn.dʒɪn/

Examples:

• She killed the engine as soon as the car was parked.
• Make sure to kill the engine before getting out of the vehicle.

#13. Kill a conversation 💬

Definition: To abruptly end or ruin a conversation.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən/

Examples:

• Bringing up politics can sometimes kill a conversation.
• His constant interruptions killed the conversation at the dinner table.

#14. Kill the lights 💡

Definition: To turn off the lights.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ðə laɪts/

Examples:

• Before leaving, make sure to kill the lights in the office.
• He killed the lights to set the mood for the movie night.

#15. Kill a joke 🤣

Definition: To ruin the humor or effect of a joke.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə dʒoʊk/

Examples:

• Explaining the punchline in detail can kill a joke.
• His over-explanation of the joke killed the humor.

#16. Kill your appetite 🍽️

Definition: To reduce or eliminate hunger.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl jʊər ˈæpɪtaɪt/

Examples:

• Eating too many snacks before dinner can kill your appetite.
• A heavy breakfast might kill your appetite for lunch.

#17. Kill the sound 🔊

Definition: To reduce or stop the audio output.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ðə saʊnd/

Examples:

• The sound technician killed the sound during the technical issue.
• She killed the sound on her phone to avoid disturbing others.

#18. Kill a project 🚧

Definition: To discontinue or cancel a project.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə ˈprɒdʒɛkt/

Examples:

• Due to budget constraints, they had to kill the project.
• The lack of interest in the project might kill it.

#19. Kill the excitement 🎉

Definition: To diminish or end the enthusiasm or thrill.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ðə ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/

Examples:

• His sudden change of plans killed the excitement for the trip.
• The delay in the event killed the excitement among the guests.

#20. Kill an infection 🦠

Definition: To eradicate or eliminate an infection.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl æn ɪnˈfɛkʃən/

Examples:

• Antibiotics help kill an infection in the body.
• Early treatment is crucial to kill an infection effectively.

#21. Kill a rumor 📉

Definition: To stop false information from spreading.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə ˈruːmər/

Examples:

• The official press release was intended to kill the rumor about the merger.
• Clear communication can kill a rumor before it gains traction.

#22. Kill a virus 🦠

Definition: To eliminate or neutralize a virus.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə ˈvaɪrəs/

Examples:

• The vaccine is designed to kill a virus and prevent disease.
• Proper hygiene can help kill a virus and reduce spread.

#23. Kill a debate 🗣️

Definition: To end or stop a discussion or argument.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə dɪˈbeɪt/

Examples:

• The moderator’s decision to cut off the speaker killed the debate.
• Introducing irrelevant points can kill a debate.

#24. Kill a performance 🎭

Definition: To perform poorly or fail to impress.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə pɔːˈfɔːrməns/

Examples:

• The actor’s lack of preparation killed the performance.
• Technical issues during the show nearly killed the performance.

#25. Kill an idea 💡

Definition: To dismiss or reject an idea.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl æn aɪˈdɪə/

Examples:

• The board’s disapproval killed the idea for the new project.
• His criticism killed the idea before it even got started.

#26. Kill a deal 🤝

Definition: To prevent a deal from being completed.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə diːl/

Examples:

• Last-minute changes in terms can kill a deal.
• Unresolved issues might kill the deal entirely.

#27. Kill the competition 🏆

Definition: To dominate or surpass rivals.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ðə kɒmpəˈtɪʃən/

Examples:

• The new marketing strategy is designed to kill the competition.
• The product’s innovative features are expected to kill the competition.

#28. Kill a person’s hopes 😔

Definition: To destroy or diminish someone’s expectations or dreams.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə ˈpɜːrsənz hoʊps/

Examples:

• The rejection letter killed her hopes of attending the university.
• Missing the deadline killed his hopes of getting the promotion.

#29. Kill with laughter 😂

Definition: To make someone laugh excessively.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl wɪð ˈlæftər/

Examples:

• His jokes killed the audience with laughter.
• The comedian’s performance killed everyone with laughter.

#30. Kill a meeting 📅

Definition: To cancel or end a meeting.

Phonetic Transcription: /kɪl ə ˈmiːtɪŋ/

Examples:

• The sudden emergency killed the meeting scheduled for this afternoon.
• Miscommunication can sometimes kill a meeting.

Collocations With Kill Table

Most Common Collocations With Kill Worksheet

Wrapping Up

Collocations with the word “kill” offer fascinating insights into how English speakers use language in both literal and figurative ways. From everyday expressions like “kill time” to more specific phrases such as “kill the competition,” these collocations enrich our understanding of English and allow us to communicate more effectively. By incorporating these 30 collocations into your vocabulary, you’ll not only expand your language skills but also enhance your ability to express complex ideas with clarity and precision.

For those eager to continue learning and practicing English, be sure to explore the various resources available at EnglEzz and RAQMedia. Whether you’re looking for worksheets, online exercises, or research tools, these platforms offer comprehensive support for learners at every level. Additionally, you can visit EnglEzz Shop and Toolities for more educational materials that can further aid your study.

Don’t forget to check out VieAuty and EyTravels for lifestyle and travel content that can enrich your learning experience. By mastering these collocations and continuing your studies, you’ll be well on your way to achieving fluency and confidence in English.

Happy learning! 😊

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