did him in

USAGE SUMMARY

'did him in' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as a slightly informal way of saying that someone was killed, defeated, or destroyed. For example: The detective quickly figured out that the mob boss had done his rival in.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

But it was the reformers who finally did him in, as Yeltsin then shoved Gorbachev aside.

The New York Times - Books

Carter's.222 average did him in.

The New York Times

That did him in.

The New York Times

Firestone's candor then did him in.

The New York Times - Sports

Monday morning almost did him in.

The New York Times - Sports

It wasn't just his capture that did him in.

The New York Times

It was the BlackBerry that did him in.

The New York Times

"But his love of money did him in".

The New Yorker

His loyalty to the Administration — just what McCarthy despised him for — is what did him in.

The New Yorker

It was the source, not the amount, of his unreported income that did him in.

The New York Times

Was it drink or the KGB or CIA that did him in?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did him in" to add a touch of informality or colloquialism to your writing when describing a downfall or defeat. However, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your piece, as it may not be suitable for highly formal or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "did him in" when referring to minor setbacks or inconveniences. This phrase implies a significant defeat, demise, or ruin, so reserve it for situations where the consequences are substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did him in" functions as a phrasal verb expressing causation of defeat or ruin. It is used to indicate the factor or event that ultimately led to someone's downfall, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiomatic phrase "did him in" is a common and slightly informal way to express that something or someone caused another's defeat, ruin, or demise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations involving significant consequences, avoiding overuse in trivial scenarios. Alternatives such as "led to his downfall" or "brought about his ruin" can provide a more formal tone when needed. Understanding the nuances of "did him in" helps writers effectively convey the cause of a negative outcome while maintaining appropriate tone and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was his undoing

A more concise and direct way of stating what caused someone's downfall.

led to his downfall

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more formal phrase indicating the cause of failure.

proved to be his undoing

Highlights the element that ultimately led to someone's failure or destruction.

brought about his ruin

Emphasizes the disastrous consequences inflicted upon someone, suggesting complete devastation.

resulted in his defeat

Focuses specifically on the act of being overcome or losing a contest or struggle.

sealed his fate

Suggests an inevitable and often negative outcome, implying a lack of control.

marked the end for him

A straightforward way of saying that something signified the conclusion of someone's success or life.

was the cause of his demise

A more clinical way of stating that something resulted in someone's death or failure.

put an end to his career

Specifically refers to the termination of someone's professional life or ambitions.

contributed to his failure

Indicates that something played a part in a negative outcome, though not necessarily the sole cause.

FAQs

How can I use "did him in" in a sentence?

You can use "did him in" to describe what ultimately caused someone's downfall. For example, "His love of gambling "did him in"."

What does "did him in" mean?

"Did him in" is an idiomatic expression that means caused someone's downfall, defeat, or death. It's a more informal way of saying something led to someone's ruin.

Which is correct, "did him in" or "did he in"?

"Did him in" is the correct phrasing. "Did he in" is grammatically incorrect and does not carry the same idiomatic meaning.

What can I say instead of "did him in"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "led to his downfall", "brought about his ruin", or "sealed his fate".