Is that an idiom?

[pusher]

Hello,

1. What does the expression "I could murder a steak" mean?
2. Is that correct to say "It was absolute murder to push the car"? Does it mean the same as "One must be stark mad to push that car"?

Thank you

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by pusher

Hello,

1. What does the expression "I could murder a steak" mean?
2. Is that correct to say "It was absolute murder to push the car"? Does it mean the same as "One must be stark mad to push that car"?

Thank you

To "murder" a steak is to eat it (all of it) with great vigor.

"It was murder to" means that it was very difficult.

That exam was murder.
Painting that fence was murder.

mur·der (mûr'dər)
n.

1. The unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice.
2. Slang. Something that is very uncomfortable, difficult, or hazardous: The rush hour traffic is murder.
3. A flock of crows. See synonyms at flock1.