make a killing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a killing" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an informal phrase meaning to make a large amount of money, usually in a short amount of time. Example: My stock investments this year have allowed me to make a killing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now they kill just to make a killing in the stock market.

The New York Times

Will she make a killing?

Independent

I'll make a killing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Earplug manufacturers would also make a killing.

The New York Times - Magazine

People thought we'd make a killing.

The Guardian - Sport

(And mediocre ones can make a killing at Christie's).

The New York Times

"Buyers will make a killing," splutters one Portuguese executive.

The Economist

Either way the hedge funds thought they'd make a killing.

The New York Times

"But we sure won't make a killing on it".

The New York Times

The forger's idea was to make a killing.

The Guardian

Many had a strategy that amounted to "make a killing".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a killing" when you want to emphasize a substantial and often rapid financial gain, particularly from investments or business ventures. Be aware that the phrase has informal connotations.

Common error

Avoid using "make a killing" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral phrases like "generate substantial profits" or "achieve significant financial success" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "make a killing" is as an idiomatic verb phrase. It describes the action of achieving significant financial gain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common expression, often found in contexts related to business and finance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "make a killing" is a commonly used phrase that signifies earning a substantial profit, usually in a short span. As Ludwig AI accurately points out, it's grammatically correct and suitable for written English. While very common in informal contexts like news reports and blog posts, it should be used with caution in formal writing where more neutral alternatives like "generate substantial profits" or "achieve significant financial success" are preferred. The term conveys both the speed and magnitude of the financial gain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earn a fortune

Focuses on the accumulation of wealth through work or investment.

make a bundle

Implies making a large quantity of money.

strike it rich

Implies a sudden and often unexpected acquisition of wealth.

amass a fortune

Highlights the gradual process of accumulating a large sum of money.

reap a windfall

Emphasizes the unexpected and beneficial nature of the financial gain.

profit handsomely

Emphasizes the significant amount of profit earned, often from a business venture.

get rich quick

Conveys the idea of becoming wealthy in a very short period of time.

cash in big

Highlights the act of converting an asset into a substantial amount of money.

clean up

Means to make a large amount of money quickly and easily, often in a speculative venture.

turn a profit

Focuses on the act of generating more money than was initially invested.

FAQs

How can I use "make a killing" in a sentence?

You can use "make a killing" in sentences like, "He "made a killing" in the stock market last year", or "The company "made a killing" on their new product launch".

What does "make a killing" mean?

"Make a killing" is an idiom that means to earn a large amount of money quickly and easily, often through a lucky investment or business deal.

Are there any synonyms for "make a killing"?

Yes, you can use synonyms like "earn a fortune", "strike it rich", or "profit handsomely" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "make a killing" in formal writing?

No, "make a killing" is an informal idiom and is generally not appropriate for formal writing. Use more professional alternatives like "achieve substantial profits" or "generate significant revenue".