which killed me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which killed me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a figurative sense to express that something was overwhelmingly funny, shocking, or impactful. Example: "The comedian's joke was so hilarious that it was the punchline which killed me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Which killed me!

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I've definitely heard that [founders from underserved groups] felt like YC wasn't for them — they felt like it was on the ivory tower, which kills me," Seibel said.

TechCrunch

I pretend to take it on the chin but mention nothing to my mother, who continues to make jokes, which kill me.

Vice

I pretend to take it in stride and mention nothing to my mother, who continues to make jokes, which kill me.

Vice

I have had Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, which almost killed me.

The New Yorker

I pray that this won't happen to me in Tangier, because I just had a tetanus shot (for a smashed thumb) which nearly killed me".

The New Yorker

The country's first confirmed Ebola survivor, Victoria Yillia, told the crowd she was "happy that this disease which almost killed me has finally ended".

The Guardian

"I had spent most of 1994 in and out of hospital in England trying to deal with an ever more troublesome liver which almost killed me twice," he recalled earlier this year.

The Guardian - Music

I am convinced, in spite of my annual screenings which nearly killed me and still can, that my AI is keeping me alive.

Huffington Post

Cole, which killed 17 American sailors.

The New York Times - Magazine

The great freeze of 1895, which killed the citrus groves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which killed me" to add emphasis to a preceding statement, highlighting its extreme or impactful nature. This works best in informal or narrative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "which killed me" in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more precise and professional language to convey the intensity or impact of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which killed me" functions as a relative clause, adding extra information about a preceding noun or clause. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and can be used figuratively.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which killed me" functions as a relative clause used to express a strong emotional reaction to a preceding event or statement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for informal and narrative contexts. It commonly appears in news media and scientific publications, though primarily in subjective accounts. When using this phrase, consider the context and audience to ensure it aligns with the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that almost finished me

Emphasizes the near-end result, focusing on the degree of negative impact.

that nearly did me in

A more colloquial way to express a near-fatal or extremely negative outcome.

that brought me to the brink

Highlights the proximity to a catastrophic outcome or limit.

that deeply affected me

Indicates a strong emotional or physical impact, though not necessarily fatal.

that devastated me

Focuses on the feeling of being overwhelmed by sadness or loss.

that hit me hard

Suggests a sudden, powerful negative impact.

that left me for dead

Emphasizes a state of being helpless or abandoned after a negative event.

that took its toll on me

Implies a gradual wearing down or negative effect over time.

that crushed me

Describes a feeling of being emotionally or physically broken.

that floored me

Indicates being shocked or overwhelmed by something.

FAQs

What does "which killed me" mean?

The phrase "which killed me" is often used figuratively to describe something extremely funny, shocking, or impactful. It doesn't literally mean death, but rather a strong reaction or emotional effect.

How can I use "which killed me" in a sentence?

You can use it to emphasize the effect of a preceding statement, like, "The comedian's joke was so hilarious that it was the punchline "which killed me"."

What are some alternatives to "which killed me"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "that made me laugh uncontrollably", "that left me in stitches", or "that deeply affected me".

Is it appropriate to use "which killed me" in formal writing?

No, it's generally not appropriate for formal writing. In such contexts, opt for more precise and professional language to convey the intensity or impact of the event instead of saying "which killed me".