Definition

1. Noun:
   • A literal physical punishment or forceful blow delivered by kicking someone's buttocks: This refers to the act of striking a person's rear end with the foot as a form of punishment or aggression.
   • A figurative stimulus or impetus that prompts someone to act or improve: This is a common idiomatic meaning, referring to a strong motivational push, often after a period of laziness or inaction.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Literal):

  • As a disciplinary measure, the old coach threatened a swift kick in the butt.
  • He received a painful kick in the butt for his insolence.

• Noun (Figurative/Idiomatic):

  • Failing the exam was the kick in the butt he needed to start studying seriously.
  • Sometimes a good kick in the butt is more effective than gentle encouragement.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost always used in the singular form: "a kick in the butt."
• It can describe an event or action that serves as a wake-up call or catalyst for change.
  • The negative performance review was a real kick in the butt for the entire department.

Variants and Related Words

• Kick in the pants (idiom, noun): A very common synonym with identical figurative meaning, often perceived as slightly less vulgar.
  • Losing that client was a real kick in the pants for our sales team.
• Kick up the backside (idiom, noun): Primarily British English variant with the same meaning.

Synonyms

• Wake-up call (noun): An event that makes you realize you need to take action.
• Impetus (noun): The force that makes something happen or happen more quickly.
• Stimulus (noun): Something that causes growth or activity.

Related Phrases

• To need a kick in the butt (verb phrase): To require a strong motivational push.
  • He's so unmotivated; he really needs a kick in the butt.
• To give someone a kick in the butt (verb phrase): To provide the strong motivational push.
  • His mentor gave him the necessary kick in the butt to finish the project.

Related Idioms

• A shot in the arm (idiom): Something that gives a person or organization energy and new hope. (Note: This has a more positive connotation than "kick in the butt," which implies a corrective or punitive element.)
• Light a fire under someone (idiom): To cause someone to act or work more quickly.

Noun

1. punishment inflicted by kicking the victim in the behind