- Doing something extremely well; performing exceptionally or being highly successful, often in an ongoing way.
- Implies dominance, high competence, and impressive results.
Explanation
Origin
- Likely evolved from the idea of killing the competition or killing a task (meaning to conquer or master it).
- Gained significant popularity in informal speech, particularly from the late 20th century onwards, possibly influenced by performance contexts (music, sports) and youth slang.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Slaying (Very similar, popular online)
- Bossing it (UK)
- Rocking it
- On fire
- Crushing it (Similar meaning of dominance/success)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Fucking killing it!
- Killing the game (Emphasizes dominance in a field)
Milder/More Formal:
- Excelling
- Thriving
- Performing exceptionally well
- Achieving great success
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal. Very common in casual conversation, social media, and relaxed work environments among peers.
- Avoid in formal settings due to the slightly aggressive verb killing, which could be misconstrued by those unfamiliar with the idiom or in sensitive contexts.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The literal meaning of killing is violent. While highly unlikely to be taken literally in context, extremely sensitive situations or conversations with non-native speakers unfamiliar with modern slang might warrant choosing a different phrase.
Examples
- She's killing it in her new job.
- The band was killing it on stage last night.
- Check out his sales figures – he's absolutely killing it.
Dialogue
Amy: Have you seen Maria's latest art project?
Ben: No, what's she working on?
Amy: This huge mural downtown. It looks incredible already. She's totally killing it.
Ben: Wow, I gotta go check that out. She's always been so talented.
Social Media Examples
- Instagram Story: (Video of someone dancing well) Caption: My friend absolutely killing it on the dance floor! 🔥 #dance #talent #killingit
- Tweet: Shoutout to @StartupCEO for killing it with their new product launch! Inspiring stuff. #entrepreneur #success
- LinkedIn Post (from a younger professional): Feeling proud of my team this quarter we're really killing it! #teamwork #results
Response Patterns
When told You're killing it!:
- Haha, thanks! Trying my best.
- Aw, thanks, man!
- Appreciate that!
- Just grinding! (Meaning working hard)
When discussing someone else killing it:
- Yeah, they're amazing.
- Totally! So impressive.
- Seriously, unstoppable.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After acknowledging someone is killing it:
- Ask for details: What's their secret? or How are they doing it?
- Express continued admiration: Keep it up! or That's awesome.
- Share related news or observations.
Conversation Starter
- No. A comment on performance or success.
Intonation
- Emphasis usually on KILLING.
- Said with admiration, excitement, or strong approval. Dude, you are KILLING it!
Generation Differences
- Very common among Millennials and Gen Z. Gen X is also familiar with it. Older generations might understand it but are less likely to use it frequently.
Regional Variations
- Widely used and understood across most English-speaking regions, especially North America, UK, and Australia.