General
curve killer
What does curve killer mean?
Used half-jokingly to call out the class overachiever.
"Stop being a curve killer and let us pass."
Origin
"Curve killer" comes from school and college culture, where a curved grade scale adjusts marks relative to the class. A student scoring far above everyone else "kills" the curve, and the term spread as Gen-Z campus slang.
Frequently asked questions
What does curve killer mean?
A curve killer is a student who scores so high they ruin the grading curve for everyone else.
Where did curve killer come from?
It comes from school and college culture around curved grading and spread as Gen-Z campus slang.
Why is a curve killer bad?
Their high score raises the curve, making it harder for the rest of the class to get good relative grades.
How do you use curve killer in a sentence?
For example: "he's the curve killer" — the class overachiever.
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