killing with kindness

Verb

kill with kindness (third-person singular simple present kills with kindness, present participle killing with kindness, simple past and past participle killed with kindness)

1. (transitive) To pacify somebody by remaining goodhearted.
   • After all these years of experience I know that some customers just act bad. You know, like bratty kids. I try to kill them with kindness, I yes them to death. Sometimes it will work and they will give me respect. Other times it doesn't.2002, Mary Lizabeth Gatta, Juggling Food and Feelings: Emotional Balance in the Workplace, Lexington Books, →ISBN, page 64