going for the kill
Seeking decisive victory
Going for the kill means taking decisive action to finish something off—originally the final strike that ends a hunt or fight.
The phrase now applies to any aggressive push toward victory or closure: She sensed weakness in his argument and went for the kill.
In competitive contexts, it suggests abandoning caution to secure a win.
- overreachExceed one's capacity
- ruthlessnessLack of compassion or mercy
- cutting to the chaseProceeding to essentials immediately
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- focusConcentrated attention point
taking no prisoners · pull no punches · ambition · drive · calculated risk · grit · perseverance · power play · all or nothing · intensity · closing in · zero in · blood in the water · boldness · seize the moment · collateral damage · jugular · finishing move
going for the killbacking off
Ceasing to pursue
holding back · pulling back · retreating · easing up · letting up
going for the killbacking down
Withdrawing from a stance
retreating · hesitating · relenting · giving up · walking away
going, gone, kill, kills, killed, killing, killer, killers, killable