What do we mean when we say it today?
Luckily, strong-willed women don't need to be tamed today. So what does this phrase mean, then?
It takes on a whole new meaning in our society, because the "kill" part isn't as literal as Petruchio is making it out to be. For him, killing Kate's over zesty spirit is the key to his happy marriage, but today, this phrase is more about being overly kind to someone to the point of being extreme. No starvation needed.
An example? Some smitten guy brings a cheerleader roses, cleans her locker, and does her homework for her. He's killing her with kindness. The poor guy is trying so hard to be the nicest guy around that it's too much. Way too much.
You can also kill someone you don't like with kindness. How? Well, by being really super duper nice to someone who's wronged you in some way, you might just make 'em feel guilty for doing you harm in the first place. You kill 'em with kindness.