verb

croak

To die or cause someone's death, informally.

In the movie, the villain croaks before the police arrive.

Etymology

The slang draws on the harsh cry named by croak, associated with a dying voice or death rattle. It extends to dying or causing death.

More examples

  • He jokes that he'll croak before he pays off his mortgage.
  • She leaves her record collection to me if she croaks.
  • The gangster threatens to croak anyone who talks to the police.

Forms

croak · croaks · croaked · croaking

Similar words

die
The neutral term, appropriate in serious or formal contexts.
kill
Specifically means to cause death, rather than simply die.