# put someone out of their misery

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/put-someone-out-of-their-misery
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To submit a suffering person or an animal to euthanasia.

## Examples

- The vet decided to put the sick dog out of its misery.
- After watching the injured bird struggle for hours, the farmer finally decided to put it out of its misery.
- The doctor realized the patient's condition was terminal and irreversible, so he discussed the difficult choice to put him out of his misery.

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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.