1 [U,C] the crime of killing sb deliberately
SYNHOMICIDE:
He was found guilty of murder. * She has been charged with the attempted murder of her husband. * to commit (a) murder * a murder case / investigation / trial * The rebels were responsible for the mass murder of 400 civilians. * What was the murder weapon? * The play is a murder mystery.
compareMANSLAUGHTER
2 [U] (spoken) used to describe sth that is difficult or unpleasant:
It's murder trying to get to the airport at this time of day. * It was murder (= very busy and unpleasant) in the office today.
IDIOMS
get away with murder (informal, often humorous) to do whatever you want without being stopped or punished
moreatSCREAMv.
verb [VN]
1 to kill sb deliberately and illegally:
He denies murdering his wife's lover. * The murdered woman was well known in the area.
2 to spoil sth because you do not do it very well:
Critics accused him of murdering the English language (= writing or speaking it very badly).
3 (BrE, informal) to defeat sb completely, especially in a team sport
SYNTHRASH
IDIOMS
I could murder a... (spoken) used to say that you very much want to eat or drink sth:
I could murder a beer.
sb will murder you (spoken) used to warn sb that another person will be very angry with them
