Cool MateAnd kill it vs Excel
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
And kill it
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Excel
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most formal: Excel
| And kill it | Excel | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ænd kɪl ɪt//🇺🇸 //ænd kɪl ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //ɪkˈsɛl//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈsɛl// |
| Meaning | To do something very well or to succeed impressively. | To do very well in something. |
| Example | She really went on stage and killed it during her concert. | She really excels in mathematics. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | kill it on stage, kill it in sports, kill it at work | excel in sports, excel at studies, excel in academics |
| Antonyms | - | fail, struggle, flounder |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal writing or speeches., Confusing with 'and kill time', which means to waste time instead., Overusing the phrase; it’s meant to be impactful. | Confused with 'exceed' when referring to surpassing a limit., Using 'excel' without specifying the area of excellence., Incorrectly conjugating the verb 'excel', e.g., saying 'excelled in' instead of 'excels in'. |
| Usage notes | Often used in casual contexts; usually positive, highlighting success or excellence in actions like performances or tasks. | Use 'excel' when someone performs exceptionally well in a task or skill. It is appropriate in both academic and professional contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: And kill it vs Excel
What's the difference between And kill it and Excel?
And kill it: To do something very well or to succeed impressively. Excel: To do very well in something.
Which is more formal: And kill it and Excel?
Excel is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
And kill it: She really went on stage and killed it during her concert. Excel: She really excels in mathematics.
Can I use And kill it and Excel interchangeably?
Not always. And kill it and Excel 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.