Kill your darlings Meaning in English
expression
Definición
An expression meaning to remove or give up your favorite parts, ideas, or details (often in writing or creative work), even if you love them, for the good of the whole piece.
Uso & Matices
Applies mainly to writing, editing, and creative work. It's not literal—no actual person or pet! Used to stress that sometimes an idea you love doesn't serve the bigger goal. Common in English-speaking creative communities; less used in everyday speech.
Oraciones de Ejemplo
Sometimes, you have to kill your darlings to make your story better.
basic
My teacher told me to kill my darlings and remove some funny lines from my essay.
basic
Editors help writers kill their darlings to improve the final draft.
basic
It was tough, but I had to kill my darlings and cut that opening scene.
natural
If you want your article to flow, sometimes you just have to kill your darlings.
natural
Every novelist I know has to kill their darlings at some point during editing.
natural