COMMON In a fight or contest, if someone moves in for the kill or goes for the kill, they act decisively to defeat their enemy or opponent. Manager Graeme Souness had urged his players to go for the kill and that vital breakthrough almost came after 14 minutes. As his partner moved in for the kill, Richard made his excuses and left. Note: Other verbs are sometimes used instead of move in or go. Like a cat playing with a wounded mouse, he was in no great hurry to close in for the kill.