1
general::
Phrase(s): death on something
1. Fig. very harmful; very effective in acting against someone or something. • This road is terribly bumpy. It’s death on tires. • The sergeant is death on lazy soldiers. 2. Fig. accurate or deadly at doing something requiring skill or great effort. • John is death on curve balls. He’s our best pitcher. • The boxing champ is really death on those fast punches.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Very effective against; also, very fond of. For example, "He is a wonderful fielder and sure death on bunts" (Christy Mathewson, Pitching, 1912), or The boss is death on tardiness, or She's death on the latest fashions. [Slang; early 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms