"Kill them with kindness."

The quote "Kill them with kindness" is funny because it’s such an oxymoron. The words “Kill” and “Kindness” don’t seem to belong in the same sentence, but it makes perfect sense when you think about it from a broader context. 

When we’re referencing the idea of “killing” in this quote, we’re not talking about taking a life. We’re talking about killing their argument, killing their vibe, or killing their accusations. This expression is usually used when someone has wronged you in some way, or they’re coming at you about something. When you choose to respond with kindness you’ll find that kindness is effective in deflecting the situation and often leads to a positive resolution. 

A perfect example of this is if someone is upset and challenging you, or disagreeing with something you did - Tell them "thank you". “Thanks for bringing this to my attention.” What can they do in response to that? They can’t keep digging into you because now it’s out of place. You’ve changed the nature of the situation. 

Or if there's someone who just doesn’t like you, or you don’t get along well with them, when you come across that person they might try to instigate confrontation or conflict. But don’t stoop to their level, treat them with kindness and respect, and they won’t know what to do because they were so prepared to battle you.

That’s the more appropriate meaning of the phrase. Be pleasant, mitigate conflict, have empathy, and "Kill them with kindness." That’s the real way to win.