dress to kill
Meaning
To dress extremely well or strikingly so as to impress or attract a lot of attention.
Origin
Uses “kill” as hyperbole meaning “to do something extremely well” or “to overwhelm/astonish,” a sense popular in 20th‑century colloquial English (cf. “you’re killing it”).
Notes
Informal, complimentary hyperbole meaning you look exceptionally good. Not about violence; common for parties, dates, events, or any situation where you want to impress.
Examples
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She dressed to kill for the gala and turned heads the moment she walked in.
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If you want to impress the clients, dress to kill and show up on time.
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He dressed to kill for the first date, but still felt nervous all evening.
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Everyone dressed to kill at the awards ceremony, from the actors to the presenters.
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You don’t have to dress to kill for a casual dinner, but a neat outfit helps.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase. Often used as an imperative (“Dress to kill!”) or with forms of “be” (“She was dressed to kill”). You can also say “He dressed to kill.”
Synonyms
- dress to impress
- look stunning
- be dressed up to the nines
- turn heads
Antonyms
- dress down
- wear something casual
- look sloppy