Cool MateAnd kill it vs Excel vs Shine vs Succeed
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
And kill it
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Excel
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Shine
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Succeed
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
| And kill it | Excel | Shine | Succeed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ænd kɪl ɪt//🇺🇸 //ænd kɪl ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //ɪkˈsɛl//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈsɛl// | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃaɪn/","/ʃaɪnd/","/ʃaɪnz/","/ʃɒn/","/ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃaɪn/","/ʃaɪnd/","/ʃaɪnz/","/ʃəʊn/","/ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/səkˈsiːd/","/səkˈsiːdz/","/səkˈsiːdɪd/","/səkˈsiːdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səkˈsiːd/","/səkˈsiːdz/","/səkˈsiːdɪd/","/səkˈsiːdɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To do something very well or to succeed impressively. | To do very well in something. | to give off light or to be bright | to do well or to reach a goal |
| Example | She really went on stage and killed it during her concert. | She really excels in mathematics. | The sun will shine brightly tomorrow, bringing warmth to everyone. | If you work hard, you will succeed in your goals. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 | B1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | kill it on stage, kill it in sports, kill it at work | excel in sports, excel at studies, excel in academics | brightly, brilliantly, faintly, seem to, make something, at, from, in, brightly, brilliantly, faintly, seem to, make something, at, from, in | admirably, beautifully, brilliantly, be likely to, be unlikely to, be determined to, against, at, in, admirably, beautifully, brilliantly, be likely to, be unlikely to, be determined to, against, at, in, appoint somebody to, elect somebody to, be tipped to, as, to, appoint somebody to, elect somebody to, be tipped to, as, to |
| Antonyms | - | fail, struggle, flounder | dull, darken, fade | fail, stop, flop |
| 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'. | Confusing 'shine' with 'shone' in past tense, 'Shine' can be used transitively; learners often forget to include an object, Using 'shine' in an incorrect form, e.g., 'shining' instead of 'shine' in certain sentences | Confused with 'succeed in' vs 'succeed at', Using 'succeed' without an object or context, Incorrectly conjugating with 'succeeded' in future tense |
| 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. | Use 'shine' in contexts where something reflects light or is bright. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid using in overly formal contexts, as alternatives like 'illuminate' may be more suitable. | Use 'succeed' in general situations where someone achieves their aims. More common in neutral contexts than in formal discussions. Avoid using in overly casual settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: And kill it vs Excel vs Shine vs Succeed
What's the difference between And kill it, Excel, Shine, and Succeed?
And kill it: To do something very well or to succeed impressively. Excel: To do very well in something. Shine: to give off light or to be bright Succeed: to do well or to reach a goal
Which is more advanced: And kill it, Excel, Shine, and Succeed?
Excel is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
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. Shine: The sun will shine brightly tomorrow, bringing warmth to everyone. Succeed: If you work hard, you will succeed in your goals.
Can I use And kill it, Excel, Shine, and Succeed interchangeably?
Not always. And kill it, Excel, Shine, and Succeed 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.