Matar in english
pronunciation: kɪl part of speech: verb
matar = do in ; kill ; murder ; massacre ; slaughter ; slay ; butcher ; put down ; inflict + death.
Example: When I saw what he was up to, I drew back for a punch and hit him so hard on the nose that he fell on his back and lay there for some time, so that his wife stood over him and cried out 'Mercy! You've done my husband in!'.Example: He was looking for the book 'Flowers and Bullets and Freedom to kill' = He was looking for the book 'Flowers and Bullets and Freedom to kill'.Example: The man who was the real-life Don Juan may not have been murdered for his acts of seduction but for his possible homosexuality and political subversiveness.Example: In the 1994 Rwandan genocide, 800,000 people were massacred.Example: These small but very sharp flakes were used by hunters to slaughter animals.Example: A bronze statue of David slaying Goliath has been unveiled in Florence today after months of painstaking restoration work.Example: By learning how to butcher a whole chicken yourself into 8 or 10 cuts, you will save money.Example: My 17 year old dog had to be put down a few weeks ago and it's heartbreaking.Example: Armed violence -- the use of arms to inflict death or injury -- is an epidemic of global proportions.more:
» acercarse a matar = close in for + the kill .
Example: They knew my weak spots and closed in for the kill.» adiestrar para matar = train + Nombre + to kill .
Example: Men, trained to kill and brutalised by the experience of battle, found it difficult to return to civilian life and continued to act violently.» Algo que se hace para matar el tiempo = time filler .
Example: Negative reactions included, 'It was no more than a time filler,' 'It was dull' and 'I found it depressing'.» a mata caballo = hurried ; hurriedly ; helter-skelter ; pell-mell .
Example: Capital funding usually took the form of end-of-year 'windfalls' needing to be spent in hectic haste necessitating hurried decision making. Example: And he added hurriedly: 'I felt I could work with her though'. Example: The larger issues of higher education provide a context for redefining the helter-skelter relationship of teaching and research. Example: The human race armed with religion, poisoned by prejudice, and absolutely frantic with hatred and fear, is galloping pell-mell back to the Dark Ages.» ansias de matar = bloodlust .
Example: Finally six men agreed to go forth in their underclothes and nooses around their necks in hopeful expectation that their sacrifice would satisfy the king's bloodlust and he would spare the rest of the citizens.» así me maten = for the life of me .
Example: I cannot for the life of me understand what you see in the Serb's cause that gets your panties in a bundle.» casi matar con la mirada = glare at ; look + daggers at .
Example: Wren glared at her for a second, then shut the door in her face. Example: We stood in our driveway looking daggers at each other -- the tension was like the air before lightning, even the cat ran for her life.» comer Algo para matar el gusanillo = eat + Comida + to keep + Nombre + going .
Example: Young children need to eat small amounts every three hours to get enough energy to keep them going.» cuando el diablo está aburrido mata moscas con el rabo = idle hands are the devil's workshop/tools/playground ; the devil finds work for idle hands .
Example: The saying the 'idle hands are the devil's workshop' may be particularly apt in the case of Islamic rioters and terrorists. Example: They can easily turn into delinquents and cause social disturbances, for, as we all know, the devil finds work for idle hands.» cuando el diablo no tiene qué hacer, con el rabo mata moscas = idle hands are the devil's workshop/tools/playground ; the devil finds work for idle hands .
Example: The saying the 'idle hands are the devil's workshop' may be particularly apt in the case of Islamic rioters and terrorists. Example: They can easily turn into delinquents and cause social disturbances, for, as we all know, the devil finds work for idle hands.» deseo de matar = bloodlust .
Example: Finally six men agreed to go forth in their underclothes and nooses around their necks in hopeful expectation that their sacrifice would satisfy the king's bloodlust and he would spare the rest of the citizens.» disparar a matar = shoot to + kill .
Example: The main issue discussed was the justification of the 'shoot to kill' policy adopted by Israel against Arab infiltrators across the 1949 demarcation lines.» empezar a matar a lo loco = go on + a killing spree .
Example: It is a very odd movie about an expectant mother who goes on a killing spree because her unborn baby is telling her to.» empezar a matar a todo el mundo = go on + a killing spree .
Example: It is a very odd movie about an expectant mother who goes on a killing spree because her unborn baby is telling her to.» empezar a matar diestro y siniestro = go on + a killing spree .
Example: It is a very odd movie about an expectant mother who goes on a killing spree because her unborn baby is telling her to.» entrenar para matar = train + Nombre + to kill .
Example: Men, trained to kill and brutalised by the experience of battle, found it difficult to return to civilian life and continued to act violently.» estar a matar = be at each other's throats ; be at one another's throats ; be at daggers drawn (with) .
Example: What keeps you riveted to the action of his plays or movies is the certain knowledge that sooner or later these characters will be at each other's throats. Example: But as tension mounts, the president and prime minister are at one another's throats. Example: Throughout Mr Blair's time in office Mr Mandelson and Mr Brown were at daggers drawn.» formar para matar = train + Nombre + to kill .
Example: Men, trained to kill and brutalised by the experience of battle, found it difficult to return to civilian life and continued to act violently.» hay miradas que matan = if looks could kill... .
Example: The book 'If Looks Could Kill' is a juicy, tell-all, insider's look at the true world of fashion.» incapaz de matar una mosca = wouldn't hurt a fly .
Example: Whoever said Moby is the leader of dickheads that beat people up? He is just a bald-headed hippie who wouldn't hurt a fly.» ir a matar = go (in) for + the jugular ; go (in) for + the kill ; move in for + the kill ; go for + the neck .
Example: The article 'Publishers go for the jugular over copyright' examines the activities of the American Association of Publishers (AAP) in taking legal proceedings against libraries on copyright grounds and in enforcing payment for photocopying periodical articles. Example: Chelsea took their foot off the gas during times in the second half but switched on and decided to go for the kill with 15 minutes remaining. Example: Then he decided to move in for the kill -- he lunged toward his opponent and tried to lock his arms around his neck. Example: Pitbulls go for the neck, one bite and your carotid artery is severed.» licencia para matar = licence to kill .
Example: The Japanese claim the whales will be used for 'scientific research', a loophole that gives them a licence to kill.» llevarse a matar = be at each other's throats ; be at one another's throats ; be at daggers drawn (with) .
Example: What keeps you riveted to the action of his plays or movies is the certain knowledge that sooner or later these characters will be at each other's throats. Example: But as tension mounts, the president and prime minister are at one another's throats. Example: Throughout Mr Blair's time in office Mr Mandelson and Mr Brown were at daggers drawn.» lo que a uno cura a otro mata = one man's meat is another man's poison .
Example: If the old saying 'one man's meat is another man's poison' is true, certainly one man's book may be another man's boredom.» maquillarse para matar = put on + Posesivo + war paint [Sentido humorístico usado generalmente para una mujer] .
Example: It's actually kind of nice to see that she puts on her warpaint just like the rest of us!.» máquina de matar = killing machine [Persona o animal entrenado o diseñado especialmente para matar] .
Example: Their success is down to them being perfectly adaptive and efficient killing machines.» matar a alguien = take + a life .
Example: All officers were remorseful about taking a life but all would make the same decision again if necessary.» matar a balazos = shoot + Nombre + dead .
Example: Many of the inhabitants were shot dead or injured by a crazed gunman.» matar a cuchillazos = stab + Nombre + to death ; knife + Nombre + to death .
Example: A youth who killed a woman at a christening stabbed a teenage girl to death weeks later. Example: Police are hunting the killers of a man knifed to death with a kitchen knife at his flat.» matar a disparos = shoot + Nombre + dead ; shoot + Nombre + to death .
Example: Many of the inhabitants were shot dead or injured by a crazed gunman. Example: Five paramilitary troopers have been arrested for shooting a teenager to death, at point blank range in Pakistan.» matar a golpes = batter + Nombre + to death ; knock + Nombre + dead .
Example: A paranoid husband battered his wife of 24 years to death with a lump hammer and then killed himself after becoming convinced she was having an affair. Example: The man whose name was given as Kwaku is believed to have been crossing the rail when a train knocked him dead.» matar al enemigo = take + no prisoners .
Example: They began taking no prisoners, burning whole villages, and routinely shooting surrendering Filipinos.» matar al mensajero = shoot + the messenger ; blame + the messenger ; kill + the messenger .
Example: Please don't shoot the messenger -- I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. Example: Don't blame the messenger because the message is unpleasant. Example: It is up to us to stop 'killing the messenger' or giving the messenger, and ourselves, a hard time, and instead pay attention to the message.» matar a palos = beat + Nombre + to death .
Example: After the alligator snapped at one of them, the teenagers beat it to death with their snow shovels.» matar a patadas = kick + Nombre + to death .
Example: That lowdown scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass.» matar a pisotones = trample + Nombre + to death .
Example: Crowds of Jews were then concentrated in a hippodrome where they were to be trampled to death by intoxicated elephants.» matar a porrazos = batter + Nombre + to death .
Example: A paranoid husband battered his wife of 24 years to death with a lump hammer and then killed himself after becoming convinced she was having an affair.» matar a puñaladas = stab + Nombre + to death ; knife + Nombre + to death .
Example: A youth who killed a woman at a christening stabbed a teenage girl to death weeks later. Example: Police are hunting the killers of a man knifed to death with a kitchen knife at his flat.» matar + Nombre + a puñaladas = stab + Nombre + to death .
Example: A youth who killed a woman at a christening stabbed a teenage girl to death weeks later.» matar a puñaladas = stab + Nombre + to death ; knife + Nombre + to death .
Example: A youth who killed a woman at a christening stabbed a teenage girl to death weeks later. Example: Police are hunting the killers of a man knifed to death with a kitchen knife at his flat.» matar con gas = gas .
Example: Forcing animals into a hot, dark box to be gassed to death in groups must stop.» matar con la mirada = look + daggers at ; give + Nombre + the stink eye ; give + Nombre + the evil eye ; put + the evil eye on ; give + Nombre + a dirty look ; glare at .
Example: We stood in our driveway looking daggers at each other -- the tension was like the air before lightning, even the cat ran for her life. Example: You can't choose your family, but you can give them the stink eye and wish they dropped off the face of the earth. Example: Now, generally, if you stare at someone for too long, you may be accused of giving them the evil eye. Example: I would also like to know how to put the evil eye on a person as the person in question has contributed in ruining my life and deserves it. Example: He kept staring so I stared back and then gave him a dirty look and didn't look back. Example: Wren glared at her for a second, then shut the door in her face.» matar de hambre = starve to + death .
Example: The book focuses on the story of the elephants that were starved to death in Ueno Zoo, Japan, during the War.» matar de un disparo = shoot ; fatally + shoot ; shoot and kill .
Example: The book has a blue mottled sheepskin binding signed by Antoine Menard, a famous bookbinder who was shot in Paris by a firing squad in 1871 but feigned death and escaped to Spain. Example: A man accused of fatally shooting a Philadelphia police officer during a robbery is headed back to Philadelphia after he was arrested in Florida. Example: Police are investigating a homicide after a 23-year-old man was shot and killed around 2:15 Wednesday morning.» matar de un golpe = knock + Nombre + dead .
Example: The man whose name was given as Kwaku is believed to have been crossing the rail when a train knocked him dead.» matar de un manotazo = swat [Generalmente referido a insectos] .
Example: Nearby workers rescued a man after he swatted one bee and was swarmed by others that stung him more than 200 times.» matar el rato = hang around ; hang about ; pootle ; dawdle ; pot about/around ; mess about/around ; piss about/around ; pass + Posesivo + idle time ; while away [También escrito wile away, aunque hay quien lo rechaza como incorrecto] ; wile away [Forma no aceptada por todos de la expresión while away] ; while away + the hours [También escrito wile away, aunque hay quien lo rechaza como incorrecto] ; while away + the time [También escrito wile away, aunque hay quien lo rechaza como incorrecto] ; wile away + the time [Forma no aceptada por todos de la expresión while away] ; wile away + the hours [Forma no aceptada por todos de la expresión while away] ; potter about/around ; mooch about/around .
Example: His characters are gullible and easily led, dependent on the kindness of strangers and vulnerable to parasites and touts who hang around train stations and hotels. Example: A new report says that we waste three hours a day faffing around, doing nothing in particular, pootling, dawdling, pottering, hanging about. Example: It's more advisable to have a cheap and skanky bike for pootling around town, the idea being that no-one would want to nick a nasty looking bike. Example: The title of the article is 'The challenge of the information country lane (and those who dawdle in it)'. Example: In the meantime, we went back into town and just potted around trying to kill some hours before we had to leave. Example: The article is entitled 'Best bet Internet: reference and research when you don't have time to mess around'. Example: The band pissed about for the first half year, and then set to work. Example: Babies are not just passing idle time when they stare goggle-eyed at the television -- they are actually learning about the world. Example: The park is huge and great for whiling away a couple of hours on a sunny afternoon or crisp autumn day. Example: It was an unspoilt oasis with miles of empty beaches that I was more then happy to wile away a couple of days on. Example: Most people are content to while away the hours on a beach with a good book in hand and a picnic cooler at their feet. Example: The purpose of life is to while away the time between birth and death as pleasantly as possible. Example: Since the dawn of time people have expressed themselves in stories, to wile away the time, warn the next generation or perhaps, point to a brighter future but certainly always, to entertain. Example: With so many images contained this is a book to wile away the hours with, epitomising as it does the notion that learning can be fun. Example: In a study that has been conducted on people above the age of 60, it has been found that activities like pottering around the garden or even fixing house can help in living a longer life. Example: The kids and I went on an outing to Petone to walk on the beach and mooch around the shops and cafes.» matar el tiempo = kill + time ; pot about/around ; pass + Posesivo + idle time ; while away [También escrito wile away, aunque hay quien lo rechaza como incorrecto] ; wile away [Forma no aceptada por todos de la expresión while away] ; while away + the hours [También escrito wile away, aunque hay quien lo rechaza como incorrecto] ; while away + the time [También escrito wile away, aunque hay quien lo rechaza como incorrecto] ; wile away + the time [Forma no aceptada por todos de la expresión while away] ; wile away + the hours [Forma no aceptada por todos de la expresión while away] ; potter about/around ; mooch about/around .
Example: It concluded that the library had an untapped pool of users: the parents bringing children; friends and family coming with users; and people attending meetings or just killing time. Example: In the meantime, we went back into town and just potted around trying to kill some hours before we had to leave. Example: Babies are not just passing idle time when they stare goggle-eyed at the television -- they are actually learning about the world. Example: The park is huge and great for whiling away a couple of hours on a sunny afternoon or crisp autumn day. Example: It was an unspoilt oasis with miles of empty beaches that I was more then happy to wile away a couple of days on. Example: Most people are content to while away the hours on a beach with a good book in hand and a picnic cooler at their feet. Example: The purpose of life is to while away the time between birth and death as pleasantly as possible. Example: Since the dawn of time people have expressed themselves in stories, to wile away the time, warn the next generation or perhaps, point to a brighter future but certainly always, to entertain. Example: With so many images contained this is a book to wile away the hours with, epitomising as it does the notion that learning can be fun. Example: In a study that has been conducted on people above the age of 60, it has been found that activities like pottering around the garden or even fixing house can help in living a longer life. Example: The kids and I went on an outing to Petone to walk on the beach and mooch around the shops and cafes.» matar en el acto = kill + Nombre + stone dead .
Example: Having built up your reputation for over half a century you have managed to kill it stone dead in only a few seconds.» matar en seco = kill + Nombre + stone dead .
Example: Having built up your reputation for over half a century you have managed to kill it stone dead in only a few seconds.» matar indiscriminadamente = take + no prisoners .
Example: They began taking no prisoners, burning whole villages, and routinely shooting surrendering Filipinos.» matar la gallina de los huevos de oro = kill + the goose that lays the golden egg(s) .
Example: If we keep increasing taxes we will kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.» matarlas callando = wolf in sheep's clothing .
Example: China accuses the Dalai Lama of being a wolf in sheep's clothing who propagates the independence of Tibet.» matar las horas = while away + the hours [También escrito wile away, aunque hay quien lo rechaza como incorrecto] ; wile away + the hours [Forma no aceptada por todos de la expresión while away] .
Example: Most people are content to while away the hours on a beach with a good book in hand and a picnic cooler at their feet. Example: With so many images contained this is a book to wile away the hours with, epitomising as it does the notion that learning can be fun.» matar moscas a cañonazos = use + a sledgehammer to crack a (wal)nut .
Example: But a father of one of the boys today accused the police of wasting their time and resources and for 'using a sledgehammer to crack a nut'.» matar por + Posesivo + país = kill for + Posesivo + country .
Example: As he took his dying breath, the last thing that he thought he'd tell me is 'It's better to die for nothing than to kill just for your country'.» matar salvajemente = butcher .
Example: Thousands of peaceful Muslims were butchered by troops up and down the east coast.» matarse trabajando = work + Reflexivo + to death ; work + Reflexivo + to the ground ; work + Posesivo + fingers to the bone ; go at it + hammer and tongs ; work + Posesivo + to the bone .
Example: The deportees died in part starving and freezing to death in concentration camps and in part working themselves to death under a barbaric police regimen. Example: Their poor mother worked herself to the ground all day long, didn't have two pennies to rub together, and they were always just a little bit hungry. Example: There are plenty of those out there who are working their fingers to the bone and still have a hard time keeping their heads above water. Example: If you make the conscious decision to go at it hammer and tongs and work yourself to the bone, then your colleagues may view your actions as something that could bring the company back from the depths. Example: If you make the conscious decision to go at it hammer and tongs and work yourself to the bone, then your colleagues may view your actions as something that could bring the company back from the depths.» por un gato que maté, matagatos me llamaron = give a dog a bad name (and hang it) .
Example: If ever there was a case of give a dog a bad name and hang it, this is it.» por un perro que maté, mataperros me llamaron = give a dog a bad name (and hang it) .
Example: If ever there was a case of give a dog a bad name and hang it, this is it.» quien a hierro mata, a hierro muere = those who live by the sword die by the sword .
Example: The death of the deposed Libyan leader on Thursday brings to life the old saying that those who live by the sword, die by the sword.» sed de matar = bloodlust .
Example: Finally six men agreed to go forth in their underclothes and nooses around their necks in hopeful expectation that their sacrifice would satisfy the king's bloodlust and he would spare the rest of the citizens.» si las miradas mataran... = if looks could kill... .
Example: The book 'If Looks Could Kill' is a juicy, tell-all, insider's look at the true world of fashion.» tirar a matar = go (in) for + the jugular ; deadly force ; shoot to + kill ; go (in) for + the kill ; move in for + the kill ; move in for + the kill ; go for + the neck .
Example: The article 'Publishers go for the jugular over copyright' examines the activities of the American Association of Publishers (AAP) in taking legal proceedings against libraries on copyright grounds and in enforcing payment for photocopying periodical articles. Example: The course covers the following topics: revolver nomenclature and maintenance; inspecting revolvers and holsters; and legal issues and deadly force. Example: The main issue discussed was the justification of the 'shoot to kill' policy adopted by Israel against Arab infiltrators across the 1949 demarcation lines. Example: Chelsea took their foot off the gas during times in the second half but switched on and decided to go for the kill with 15 minutes remaining. Example: Then he decided to move in for the kill -- he lunged toward his opponent and tried to lock his arms around his neck. Example: Then he decided to move in for the kill -- he lunged toward his opponent and tried to lock his arms around his neck. Example: Pitbulls go for the neck, one bite and your carotid artery is severed.