do in

British  

verb

1. to murder or kill

2. to exhaust

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do in Idioms  

1. Tire out, exhaust, as in Running errands all day did me in . [ Colloquial ; early 1900s] Also see done in .

2. Kill, as in Mystery writers are always thinking of new ways to do their characters in . [ Slang ; early 1900s] Also see def. 4.

3. Ruin utterly; also cheat or swindle. For example, The five-alarm fire did in the whole block , or His so-called friend really did him in . [First half of 1900s]

4. do oneself in . Commit suicide, as in She was always threatening to do herself in . [ Slang ; first half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

“That’s usually like 90% of the work that you do in a kitchen.”

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

She shouldn’t feel like a failure for doing what she needs to do in order to feed her kid.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

Several U.S. states do, in fact, have key exceptions that may allow certain creditors to reach trust assets.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

Stokes said the focus in 2022 was about "bringing enjoyment back", but "now it is about everything we do is to win, being relentless in what we do in our training and behaviour".

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“I’m thinking about what—what we’re going to have to do in a day or so,” Kennedy said.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin