do in: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “do in” mean?
To kill or murder someone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To kill or murder someone; to cause someone's death.
To exhaust someone completely; to defeat or ruin something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use it with the same core and extended meanings. The 'kill' sense may be slightly more prevalent in AmE crime fiction and slang.
Connotations
Strongly informal/colloquial in both. Connotes a sense of finality and often illegality.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both; more common in spoken language and genre fiction than formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “do in” in a Sentence
[Subject] do [Object] in[Subject] be done in by [Agent]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “do in” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The rival gang was rumoured to have done him in over a debt.
- The long shift at the hospital completely did me in.
American English
- In the movie, the mob boss orders his men to do the informant in.
- That last workout at the gym really did me in.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The new regulations could do in small businesses without proper capital." (Metaphorical ruin)
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical or sociological texts discussing criminal slang.
Everyday
"That 10-mile hike really did me in—I need a nap." (Exhaustion sense)
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “do in”
- Using it in formal writing (too informal).
- Confusing it with 'make do' (to manage).
- Incorrect word order: 'do in him' (should be 'do him in').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is transitive and separable. You must have an object (e.g., 'do him in'). The object pronoun always goes in the middle.
Yes, the meaning 'to exhaust' is common and non-violent, though still very informal (e.g., 'The kids did me in').
'Do in' is slang and implies a more casual, often criminal or secretive context. 'Kill' is the standard, neutral term.
The passive form is common: 'He was done in by his rivals' or 'I was done in by the heat.'
To kill or murder someone.
Do in is usually informal, slang in register.
Do in: in British English it is pronounced /ˌduː ˈɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdu ˈɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “done in (exhausted)”
- “do oneself in (commit suicide)”
- “do in the competition”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a spy movie: "The agent's mission is to DO the villain IN." It visualizes the action of finishing someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLETION IS DEATH (to 'do in' is to bring a process to its final, often destructive, end).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'do in' LEAST appropriate?