Cool MateKill vs Put a bullet through his brain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Kill
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Put a bullet through his brain
VulgarBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: KillMost common: Kill
| Kill | Put a bullet through his brain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kɪl/","/kɪlz/","/kɪld/","/ˈkɪlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kɪl/","/kɪlz/","/kɪld/","/ˈkɪlɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //pʊt ə ˈbʊlɪt θruː hɪz breɪn//🇺🇸 //pʊt ə ˈbʊlɪt θru hɪz breɪn// |
| Meaning | to cause someone or something to die | To shoot someone in the head. |
| Example | He decided to kill the weeds in the garden with a strong herbicide. | In the movie, he put a bullet through his brain without hesitation. |
| Register | Neutral | Vulgar |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | outright, almost, nearly, want to, be prepared to, threaten to, admit killing somebody, admit to killing somebody, deny killing somebody | put a bullet, put through, bullet through, put a bullet in, put a bullet against |
| Antonyms | save, rescue, protect | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'kill' as a synonym for 'murder' — not all killings are murders., Using 'killed' when referring to stopping an activity — it’s better to say 'killed it' in such contexts., Confusing the noun form 'kill' with 'killing' — 'kill' refers to the act, while 'killing' often refers to the act of murder. | Using 'put a bullet in his head' instead, which is less common., Confusing the phrase with other violent expressions., Using it in serious conversations where it's inappropriate. |
| Usage notes | Use 'kill' in both casual and serious contexts. Avoid in sensitive discussions about death unless appropriate. In informal settings, it can also mean to stop something (like a plan). | This phrase is very informal and has a violent connotation. It’s typically used hyperbolically in casual speech or writing, not appropriate in formal contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Kill vs Put a bullet through his brain
What's the difference between Kill and Put a bullet through his brain?
Kill: to cause someone or something to die Put a bullet through his brain: To shoot someone in the head.
Which is more formal: Kill and Put a bullet through his brain?
Kill is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Kill and Put a bullet through his brain?
Kill is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Kill: He decided to kill the weeds in the garden with a strong herbicide. Put a bullet through his brain: In the movie, he put a bullet through his brain without hesitation.
Can I use Kill and Put a bullet through his brain interchangeably?
Not always. Kill and Put a bullet through his brain are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.