in at the kill

in at the kill & in on the kill

1. Lit. present and participating in the killing of prey. •

The baby cheetah wanted to be in on the kill.

2. Fig. involved at the final moment of something in order to share in the spoils. •

At the end of the battle, everyone wanted to be in at the kill.

•

The press packed the room, wanting to be in on the kill of the governor's resignation.

* * *

{adj. phr.}, {informal} Watching or taking part, usually with pleasure, at the end of a struggle; present at the finish. * /Frank and John have been quarreling for a long time and tonight they are having a fight. Bill says he wants to be in at the kill, because he is Frank's friend./