kill the engine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kill the engine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about shutting off the engine of a vehicle. For example, "I heard Mark grumble as he had to kill the engine in order to get past the toll booth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

On Wednesday, 110 Republicans voted to kill the engine, while 130 supported it.

The New York Times

Representative Tom Rooney of Florida, a second-term Republican who led the fight to kill the engine, said he had hoped to win votes from 30 of the freshmen and was delighted to receive 17 more.

The New York Times

If you run into a wall you need to kill the engine immediately, engage the airbag.

BBC

When I "kill" the engine, someone always asks, "Wait, what about reproduction?

Huffington Post

This is a make, Kill the Engine doesn't post bail shots.

Vice

If you'll be stopped for more than 30 seconds, kill the engine; restarting it burns less fuel than the idling.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

At one point, the roiling waves burst the boat's hatches and kill the engines.

The New York Times - Books

Sheets out, course plotted, autopilot engaged, we'd put up the sails and, if the wind was strong enough, kill the engines.

The New York Times - Travel

O & S Trucking of Springfield, Mo., recently installed electronic devices in each of its 350 trucks to kill the engines automatically after they idle for two minutes, said Jim Frieze, the equipment director.

The New York Times

"Guys, we could be killing the engine here.

The Guardian - Sport

Jana kills the engine and gets out as the woman comes down the steps, still smiling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kill the engine" when you want to convey a sense of immediacy or finality in shutting down an engine. For everyday situations, consider gentler alternatives like "turn off the engine".

Common error

Avoid using "kill the engine" in contexts where it could be misinterpreted as a violent act. The phrase is specific to engines and should not be used figuratively outside this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kill the engine" functions as a directive, instructing someone to stop the engine. It is commonly used in contexts where immediate action is needed. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kill the engine" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that means to stop or shut off an engine. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English. While slightly informal, it's understood in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. Consider alternatives like "turn off the engine" or "shut down the engine" for more formal situations. Be mindful of the context to avoid misinterpretations, and use this phrase when you want to convey a sense of immediacy or finality. It's most frequently found in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shut off the engine

Replaces "kill" with the more formal "shut off".

turn off the engine

Uses the common verb "turn off" instead of "kill".

stop the engine

Employs a more direct verb "stop" to convey the action.

power down the engine

Utilizes "power down" to suggest a more controlled shutdown.

switch off the engine

Replaces "kill" with "switch off", implying a mechanical action.

cut off the engine

Suggests an abrupt termination of the engine's operation.

disable the engine

Indicates rendering the engine non-functional.

halt the engine

A more formal way to say stop the engine.

deactivate the engine

Implies a system-level shutdown of the engine.

extinguish the engine

Figuratively refers to stopping the engine, more dramatic.

FAQs

What does "kill the engine" mean?

The phrase "kill the engine" means to stop or shut off the engine of a vehicle or machine.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "kill the engine"?

It's appropriate to use "kill the engine" in contexts where you're describing the act of turning off a vehicle's engine, often in a scenario where it needs to be done quickly or decisively. In other cases it's more suitable to use alternatives like "turn off the engine" or "shut off the engine".

What are some alternatives to "kill the engine"?

You can use alternatives such as "turn off the engine", "shut down the engine", or "switch off the engine".

Is "kill the engine" too informal for professional writing?

While "kill the engine" is widely understood, it leans towards informal. For professional or formal writing, consider using "shut off the engine" or "deactivate the engine" as more appropriate options.