# kill one's darlings

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/kill-ones-darlings
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To destroy things or characters, particularly in art, of which one is fond, often reluctantly in order to improve one's artistic output.

## Examples

- To improve your story, you must kill your darlings.
- I need to kill my darlings to make this short essay clearer.
- The editor advised the writer to kill her darlings if she wanted the novel to move faster.
- The director decided to kill his darlings by cutting the expensive action scene because it did not fit the movie's quiet mood.
- You should kill your darlings and remove that beautiful character if they do not actually help the plot move forward.
- Despite his deep attachment to the poetic descriptions, the author realized he had to kill his darlings to ensure the narrative remained focused and impactful.

## Origin

A piece of advice to prospective authors that they must kill their “darlings”, i.e. suppress overuse of their favorite expressions, tropes, characters, etc. Often attributed to William Faulkner (1897–1962), but already expressed earlier by Arthur Quiller-Couch (murder one's darlings); more recently popularized by Stephen King.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.