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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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this kills me

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this kills me" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express strong emotional pain, distress, or humor in response to a situation or statement. Example: "When I saw the price of the concert tickets, I thought, 'This kills me!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This kills me".

News & Media

The New Yorker

"To admit I'm talking about this kills me because it's against my policy," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

Also - and this kills me - some of the aliens appear to be about three feet tall.

"This kills me, because I just want to get in there and start pulling things out," Ms. Peconie said.

News & Media

The New York Times

"This kills me, but I'm sending the pulp to the landfill," he says.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Is this killing me?

News & Media

The New Yorker

I said, 'I'm not going to let this kill me,' and I know that's what made me a successful scout".

There's a lot of great stuff in this Billy Joel interview but this killed me https://t.co/gmspppaBeG pic.twitter.com/iynIwCEGde.

News & Media

Huffington Post

This one kills me.

News & Media

Forbes

The pause in this sentence kills me, renders me mute.

News & Media

Vice

"This is what kills me," Nasser said.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this kills me" to express strong emotional reactions, whether of pain, frustration, or humor. Be mindful of your audience, as this phrase is informal and may not be appropriate in formal settings.

Common error

While "this kills me" can be effective, avoid overuse. Substituting with more descriptive language can enhance your writing and prevent it from becoming repetitive.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this kills me" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey a strong emotional response, ranging from frustration and disappointment to amusement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English, primarily in informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this kills me" is an informal idiomatic expression used to express a strong emotional reaction, typically negative but sometimes humorous. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, primarily in informal contexts such as news and media where personal anecdotes or quotes are used. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to consider your audience and context before using this phrase, as more formal language may be required in professional or academic settings. Alternatives like "this is crushing me" or "this breaks my heart" can offer similar emotional weight with slightly different nuances.

FAQs

How can I use "this kills me" in a sentence?

You can use "this kills me" to express a strong emotional reaction to something. For example, "The fact that they cancelled the show "this kills me".

What does "this kills me" mean?

"This kills me" is an idiomatic expression used to convey that something is extremely upsetting, frustrating, or even hilariously funny, depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "this kills me"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "this is crushing me", "this breaks my heart", or "this is unbearable".

Is it appropriate to use "this kills me" in formal writing?

No, "this kills me" is generally considered informal and should be avoided in formal writing. Opt for more professional or neutral language in such contexts.

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Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: