Definition

1. Noun:

   • A physical strike with the foot: The act of hitting or propelling something with the foot.
   • A sudden, forceful recoil: The backward jerk of a firearm when discharged.
   • A stimulating or pleasurable effect: A feeling of excitement, enjoyment, or a strong physical sensation, often from an activity or substance.
   • An objection or complaint: (Informal) An expression of protest or dissatisfaction.

2. Verb:

   • To strike or propel with the foot: To hit or drive something by using the foot.
   • To express complaint or discontent: (Informal) To protest or grumble about something.
   • To recoil suddenly: To spring back forcefully, as a gun does when fired.
   • To score a goal by propelling the ball: In sports like soccer, to score by kicking the ball into the goal.
   • To stop a habit: (Informal) To give up or break a habitual activity, such as smoking.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • He gave the ball a powerful kick. (He struck the ball forcefully with his foot.)
  • The rifle has a strong kick. (The rifle has a powerful recoil when fired.)
  • This chili sauce has a real kick. (This chili sauce has a strong, stimulating flavor.)
  • She has a kick about the new policy. (She has a complaint about the new policy.)

• Verb:

  • Please don't kick the door. (Please do not strike the door with your foot.)
  • He always kicks about his workload. (He always complains about his workload.)
  • The shotgun kicked hard into his shoulder. (The shotgun recoiled forcefully against his shoulder.)
  • The striker kicked the winning goal. (The striker scored the winning goal with his foot.)
  • He finally kicked his smoking habit. (He finally stopped his habit of smoking.)

Advanced Usage

• "to get a kick out of something": To derive great enjoyment or excitement from something.

  • She gets a kick out of watching old comedies. (She finds great enjoyment in watching old comedies.)

• "to kick the bucket": (Slang) To die.

  • The old saying goes that he kicked the bucket last year. (The old saying is that he died last year.)

• "to kick oneself": To feel regret or annoyance with oneself for a missed opportunity or mistake.

  • I could kick myself for forgetting the keys. (I am very annoyed with myself for forgetting the keys.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kicker (n): A person or thing that kicks. In American football, the player who kicks the ball. Informally, an unexpected or surprising factor.

  • The team's kicker scored three field goals.
  • The kicker to the story was that he had no money.

• Kicking (n/adj): The act of performing kicks. As an adjective, lively or exciting.

  • The swimmer's kicking was powerful.
  • The party was really kicking by midnight.

Synonyms

• Noun (strike): Boot, punt.
• Noun (thrill): Thrill, buzz, rush.
• Verb (strike): Boot, punt.
• Verb (complain): Complain, gripe, protest.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Kick off: To start, especially a game, event, or discussion.

  • The meeting will kick off at 9 AM. (The meeting will start at 9 AM.)

• Kick out: To expel or eject someone forcefully.

  • The bouncer kicked him out of the bar. (The bouncer ejected him from the bar.)

• Kick back: To relax. Also, to recoil or to pay a secret commission.

  • I like to kick back and watch TV on weekends. (I like to relax and watch TV.)
  • The gun kicked back violently. (The gun recoiled.)

• Kick in: To contribute money. Also, to begin to take effect.

  • We all kicked in for a gift. (We all contributed money for a gift.)
  • The medicine took an hour to kick in. (The medicine took an hour to begin working.)

Related Idioms

• Kick against the pricks: To resist authority or a situation in a futile way that only causes harm to oneself.

  • He was just kicking against the pricks by arguing with the judge. (He was pointlessly resisting the judge's authority.)

• Kick over the traces: To rebel against control or convention.

  • As a teenager, she started to kick over the traces. (As a teenager, she began to rebel.)

• More kicks than halfpence: To receive more criticism or trouble than reward or pleasure.

  • Working there was more kicks than halfpence. (The job involved more hardship than benefit.)

Noun

1. a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics
   • the kick must be synchronized with the arm movements
   • the swimmer's kicking left a wake behind him
2. the sudden stimulation provided by strong drink (or certain drugs)
   • a sidecar is a smooth drink but it has a powerful kick
3. informal terms for objecting
   • I have a gripe about the service here
4. the backward jerk of a gun when it is fired
5. the swift release of a store of affective force
   • they got a great bang out of it
   • what a boot!
   • he got a quick rush from injecting heroin
   • he does it for kicks
6. the act of delivering a blow with the foot
   • he gave the ball a powerful kick
   • the team's kicking was excellent

Verb

1. express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
   • My mother complains all day
   • She has a lot to kick about
2. make a goal
   • He kicked the extra point after touchdown
3. stop consuming
   • kick a habit
   • give up alcohol
4. spring back, as from a forceful thrust
   • The gun kicked back into my shoulder
5. kick a leg up
6. strike with the foot
   • The boy kicked the dog
   • Kick the door down
7. thrash about or strike out with the feet
8. drive or propel with the foot