Pronunciation: [dˈɪd ˈɪn] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "did in" is straightforward once the pronunciation is understood. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈdɪd ɪn/. The first part, "did," is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by a voiced "d" sound. The second part, "in," is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by a nasalized "n" sound. When combined, the two words form a phrasal verb meaning "to exhaust or defeat."
The colloquial term "did in" is a phrasal verb that is primarily used in informal contexts. It is often used to convey the notion of causing damage, destruction, or harm to someone or something, often resulting in a significant negative impact.
When used in a transitive form, "did in" means to bring about the downfall, ruin, or defeat of someone or something. In this sense, it implies a successful or forceful action that incapacitates or ends the effectiveness, power, or influence of the subject. It can refer to an individual, a group, an idea, a plan, or an object.
For instance, if someone says "The harsh economic conditions eventually did in the small business," it means that the unfavorable circumstances caused severe harm or damage, leading to the failure or closure of the business.
Additionally, "did in" can also be used in an intransitive form to signify exhaustion, fatigue, or complete weariness. In this case, it conveys a sense of being thoroughly physically or mentally drained. For example, if a person remarks "The long hike really did me in," they mean that the strenuous activity left them utterly exhausted.
Overall, "did in" is a versatile phrasal verb typically employed to illustrate the act of causing harm or destruction, or to depict one's state of complete exhaustion.
The phrase "did in" does not have a standalone etymology as it is not a word by itself. "Did" is the past tense of the verb "do", and "in" is a preposition indicating location, direction, or time. "Did in" is a colloquial expression typically used to mean defeat, ruin, or cause harm to someone or something. Its etymology is a combination of the past tense of "do" and the preposition "in", but there is no specific origin apart from the individual words themselves.
