noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
half-dead; half-killed
Describes a state of being beaten or injured to the point of near death, but still alive. Often used hyperbolically.
See also: 半殺し
彼は喧嘩で生殺しの状態にされた。
He was beaten half to death in a fight.
expression
leaving in limbo; dragging out tortuously; state of uncertainty
Figurative use: keeping someone in a painful, unresolved state, often by withholding a decision or conclusion. Can imply deliberate cruelty.
返事を待たされ続けて、生殺しの気分だ。
Being kept waiting for an answer, I feel like I'm being left in limbo.
彼は生殺しの状態で何週間も放置された。
He was left hanging in uncertainty for weeks.