killing

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

Dangerous; heart-breaking.


For amongst his other killing parts,

He had broken a brace of female hearts.--Hood's Miss Kilmansegg.

There was a pleasant, playful breeze that sported with the well curled locks of first-water dandies [on New Years Day], and gave them a certain négligé appearance, which must have been really killing 'in my lady's chamber or drawing-room.'--N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, Jan. 2, 1844.

The dandies forgot to oil their moustaches, or waste killing looks on unthinking shop girls whom they met, &c.--Boston Times, Nov. 13, 1845.

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