Cool MateDestroy vs We're going to kill him
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Destroy
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
We're going to kill him
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: DestroyMost common: Destroy
| Destroy | We're going to kill him | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈstrɔɪ/","/dɪˈstrɔɪz/","/dɪˈstrɔɪd/","/dɪˈstrɔɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈstrɔɪ/","/dɪˈstrɔɪz/","/dɪˈstrɔɪd/","/dɪˈstrɔɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wɪə̯r ˈɡəʊɪŋ tə kɪl hɪm//🇺🇸 //wɪr ˈgoʊɪŋ tə kɪl hɪm// |
| Meaning | to completely ruin or cause something to no longer exist | We will make him dead. |
| Example | The storm can easily destroy buildings if it's strong enough. | In this game, we're going to kill him before he reaches the safe zone. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | completely, entirely, totally, can, could, etc., an attempt to destroy something, be capable of destroying something, be intent on destroying something, humanely, have to be destroyed | going to kill, actually kill, kill him softly, kill him later, going to kill someone |
| Antonyms | build, create, construct | - |
| Common mistakes | Using with a non-physical object, like 'destroy a feeling' - should say 'hurt' or 'damage'., Confusing with 'create' - opposite meanings but can confuse learners., Using in a passive voice incorrectly, like 'was destroyed by him' which can sound confusing. | Learners sometimes use 'kill' too literally when meant figuratively., Misunderstand the tone as always aggressive, while it can express strong competition or frustration. |
| Usage notes | Use 'destroy' when referring to causing complete damage or ruin. It's suitable in most contexts but avoid using it lightly in casual conversations to describe minor damage, as it may sound overly dramatic. | This phrase is informal and may be used figuratively to express strong feelings. Avoid in serious contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Destroy vs We're going to kill him
What's the difference between Destroy and We're going to kill him?
Destroy: to completely ruin or cause something to no longer exist We're going to kill him: We will make him dead.
Which is more formal: Destroy and We're going to kill him?
Destroy is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Destroy and We're going to kill him?
Destroy is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Destroy: The storm can easily destroy buildings if it's strong enough. We're going to kill him: In this game, we're going to kill him before he reaches the safe zone.
Can I use Destroy and We're going to kill him interchangeably?
Not always. Destroy and We're going to kill him 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.