The word "killing paces" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈkɪlɪŋ ˈpeɪsɪz/. The first syllable of "killing" is pronounced as /ˈkɪlɪŋ/ with a stress on the first syllable and the vowel /ɪ/ followed by the consonant /l/. The second syllable of "paces" is pronounced as /ˈpeɪsɪz/ with a stress on the first syllable, the diphthong /eɪ/ and the consonants /s/ and /z/. "Killing paces" refers to a fast walking speed, indicating haste or urgency.