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UKkill or cure
/kˈɪl ɔː kjˈʊə/
/kˈɪl ɔːɹ kjˈʊɹ/kill or cure
[PHRASE]1
used to describe a risky or extreme action or solution that could either lead to great success or complete failure
What is the origin of the idiom "kill or cure" and when to use it?
The idiom "kill or cure" originated in the medical field, specifically in the 18th and 19th centuries, when doctors would prescribe treatments that were considered risky, but had the potential to cure a patient's illness or condition. The idiom is used to describe a situation where a particular action or decision has the potential to either solve a problem or make it worse. It suggests that there is a high level of risk involved and that the outcome is uncertain.
Examples
1. The upcoming election is a kill or cure moment for the future of the country.
2. The company's decision to invest heavily in the new product was a kill or cure move.
3. Kill or cure sensationalism, and we've all seen this kind of thing where one day chocolate is good for you, the next day it gives you cancer.
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