killing

Everyday

1. Killing is causing someone or something to die. tree →
2. A killing is a murder or a death caused on purpose, as reported in the news. tree →
3. (informal) To make a killing means to make a lot of money quickly. tree →
4. (slang) «You're killing me!» means «You're so funny» or «You're annoying me»; «My feet are killing me» means they hurt a lot. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons it is used for germs (soap is killing bacteria) and food chains; in news it is a serious crime word. In everyday slang it is about laughter, pain or money. Phrases: «make a killing», «killing time», «killing me».

Examples

• The lion is killing a zebra for food. tree →
• Soap helps by killing germs. tree →
• The police are investigating a killing. tree →
• Killing animals for fun is cruel. tree →
• They made a killing selling ice creams on the hot day. tree →
• We were killing time before the film started. tree →
• (slang) Stop, you're killing me! That joke is so funny. tree →
• (informal) These new shoes are killing my feet. tree →
• When you have succeeded in killing one come and tell me." tree →

Note

Kill is regular: killed, killing. «Killing time» means doing something just to fill time while waiting. Serious killing words are not for jokes about real people.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: The Torah forbids murder, and the prophets often name it with theft and adultery as a mark of a broken society. Killing the Passover lamb was done in the Temple, and the Levites did it for those not clean. In the primary lessons: In science lessons it is used for germs (soap is killing bacteria) and food chains; in news it is a serious crime word. In everyday slang it is about laughter, pain or money. Phrases: «make a killing», «killing time», «killing me».

Examples

• Swearing and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery! they break all bounds, and blood toucheth blood. (Prophets HOS.4.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine — 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die!' (Prophets ISA.22.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• For there were many in the congregation that had not sanctified themselves; therefore the Levites had the charge of killing the passover lambs for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD. (Writings 2CH.30.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Kill is regular: killed, killing. «Killing time» means doing something just to fill time while waiting. Serious killing words are not for jokes about real people.