kick

kick — verb

1. To hit, push, or move someone or something by swinging your foot into them or it

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveA1
Definition

To hit, push, or move someone or something by swinging your foot into them or it, or to thrash your legs about.

Example

Hao kicked the ball across the yard to his little sister.

transitive: kick + object (ball)

The baby lay on her back and kicked her legs in the air happily.

transitive: kick + body part

Common collocations
  • kick a ball
  • kick a door
  • kick the ground
  • kick hard
  • kick violently
Synonyms
  • boot

    to kick hard or to kick something away, often used when wearing boots

  • punt

    to drop a ball and kick it before it hits the ground, used in specific sports contexts

  • strike

    broader meaning — to hit with any body part or object, not only the foot

Antonyms
  • catch

    to receive an object, especially a ball, with the hands

Grammar Patterns

kick + object

kick + (no object)

Usage Note

Transitive when you strike an object (kick the ball) or a person (kick someone). Intransitive when describing the action without an object (the baby was kicking), or with 'at' to indicate direction (kicked at the door).

Common Mistakes

He kicked on the door until someone answered.
He kicked the door until someone answered.
When the foot directly strikes the object, no preposition is needed.
She kicked the ball with her hand.
She kicked the ball with her foot.
The verb 'kick' always refers to using the foot, never the hand.

2. To score points in football, rugby, or similar sports by striking the ball into

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

To score points in football, rugby, or similar sports by striking the ball into or through the target area.

Example

Andrew kicked a goal in the final minute and won the game for his team.

transitive: kick + a goal

The striker kicked the ball past the goalkeeper into the corner of the net.

resultative: past + into + location

Common collocations
  • kick a goal
  • kick a penalty
  • kick the ball
  • kick a point
  • kick past
Synonyms
  • score

    to get a point in any sport; broader and not specific to using the foot

  • convert

    to score additional points after a try in rugby

  • punt

    to drop and kick the ball before it touches the ground in American football

Grammar Patterns

kick + object (goal/ball/point)

Usage Note

In American football, 'kick' can also refer to sending the ball downfield without scoring (kickoff, punt). In soccer (football), the focus is on scoring goals. The object is usually 'the ball', 'a goal', or a type of kick like 'a penalty'.

Common Mistakes

The player kicked a basket for the winning points.
The player kicked a goal for the winning points.
In football and rugby, the scoring target is called a 'goal', not a 'basket'.

3. To end an unhealthy pattern of behavior, like smoking or overeating, that you ha

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

To end an unhealthy pattern of behavior, like smoking or overeating, that you have followed for a long period of time.

Example

After ten years of smoking, Hao finally kicked the habit last spring.

fixed phrase: kick the habit

Caleb tried to kick his sugar addiction by eating fruit instead of candy.

pattern: kick + possessive + habit/addiction

Common collocations
  • kick the habit
  • kick an addiction
  • kick smoking
  • kick caffeine
Synonyms
  • quit

    to stop doing something; neutral register, works in both formal and informal contexts

  • give up

    to stop a habit or activity; slightly more common than 'kick' in everyday speech

  • break

    to end a habit, often with effort; used in 'break a habit'

Antonyms
  • take up

    to start a new habit or activity

Grammar Patterns

kick + the habit

kick + addiction/behavior

Usage Note

Informal but very common in everyday speech and health contexts. The object is typically 'the habit' or a specific harmful behavior by name ('kick smoking', 'kick caffeine'). Avoid using in formal writing.

Common Mistakes

I kicked my smoking last month.
I kicked my smoking habit last month.' or 'I kicked smoking last month.
The word 'habit' is often kept in the phrase, or the behavior name stands alone without 'habit'.

4. To suddenly jump backwards with force when firing — used of a gun, rifle, or sim

4.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

To suddenly jump backwards with force when firing — used of a gun, rifle, or similar weapon.

Example

The old rifle kicked hard against Eitan's shoulder when he fired it.

intransitive: noun (gun) + kicks + adverb

This shotgun does not kick as much as the heavier hunting models.

Common collocations
  • kicks hard
  • kicks violently
  • rifle kicks
  • shotgun kicks
Synonyms
  • recoil

    formal term for a gun jumping backward when fired; the standard technical word

  • jerk back

    describes the sudden backward movement, less specific to guns

Grammar Patterns

gun + kicks

Usage Note

Only used intransitively. The subject must be a gun or similar weapon. Avoid using this for non-weapon objects that jolt — 'the engine kicked' is not correct for this sense.

Common Mistakes

The car kicked when I started the engine.
The car jerked when I started the engine.
'Kick' for recoil describes a specific gun action, not general vehicle movement.

5. To feel angry at yourself after making a silly error or failing to seize an oppo

5.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

To feel angry at yourself after making a silly error or failing to seize an opportunity.

Example

After forgetting her passport, Ingrid could have kicked herself for being so careless.

reflexive: could have kicked + myself/yourself/himself/herself

Samir kicked himself for not buying the house when the price was lower.

Common collocations
  • could have kicked myself
  • kicked himself for
  • kick yourself for
Synonyms
  • regret

    to feel sorry about something you did or did not do; broader and more formal

  • berate oneself

    to criticize yourself angrily; more formal and stronger in tone

Grammar Patterns

could have kicked + myself/yourself/himself/herself/themselves + for

Usage Note

Almost always uses the reflexive pronoun (yourself, himself, etc.) and is most common in the modal form 'could have kicked'. The simple past 'kicked himself' is also possible. Typically followed by 'for' plus a reason.

Common Mistakes

I kicked myself because I lost my keys.
I could have kicked myself for losing my keys.
The idiomatic pattern favors 'could have' rather than the simple past, and 'for' rather than 'because'.
Phrasal verbs

kick about

phrasal verb

To discuss or consider an idea informally.

We kicked about a few ideas for the project.

They kicked the proposal about during lunch.

kick against

phrasal verb

To resist or protest against something.

The students kicked against the new dress code.

He kicked against the rules but eventually obeyed.

kick around

phrasal verb

To treat someone badly or without respect.

The boss kicked around his employees constantly.

She felt kicked around by her older siblings.

kick back

phrasal verb

To relax and take it easy.

After work, I like to kick back and watch TV.

They kicked back on the beach all weekend.

kick in

phrasal verb

To start to have an effect or begin operating.

The painkiller kicked in after twenty minutes.

The air conditioning kicked in when the temperature rose.

kick off

phrasal verb

To start or begin something.

The concert kicked off with a loud drum solo.

Let's kick off the meeting with a quick update.

kick out

phrasal verb

To force someone to leave a place or group.

The bouncer kicked out the drunk man from the bar.

He was kicked out of school for cheating.

kick up

phrasal verb

To cause something to rise or become noticeable, often dust or trouble.

The car kicked up a cloud of dust on the dirt road.

She kicked up a fuss about the poor service.

Idioms

alive and kicking

idiom

Still full of energy and doing well.

My grandmother is 90 but still alive and kicking.

The old band is alive and kicking, playing concerts every month.

kick (some) ass/butt

idiom

To act in a very aggressive or energetic way.

Our team came to kick ass and win the championship.

She kicked butt in the sales competition last quarter.

kick (some/somebody’s) ass

idiom

To defeat or punish someone thoroughly.

The champion kicked his opponent's ass in the final round.

If you cheat, the teacher will kick your ass.

kick the bucket

idiom

To die.

The old cat finally kicked the bucket last night.

He joked that he would kick the bucket before retirement.

kick the can (down the road)

idiom

To delay dealing with a problem instead of solving it.

The government keeps kicking the can down the road on climate change.

Stop kicking the can and fix the leaky pipe now.

kick your heels

idiom

To wait around with nothing to do.

We kicked our heels for an hour at the airport.

She was kicking her heels while the boss finished the meeting.

(drag somebody) kicking and screaming

idiom

To force someone to do something they strongly resist.

They dragged him kicking and screaming to the dentist.

The child went to school kicking and screaming.

kick somebody in the teeth

idiom

To treat someone badly or refuse help when they need it.

After all his hard work, the boss kicked him in the teeth.

She felt kicked in the teeth when her friend ignored her plea.

kick over the traces

idiom

To start behaving badly and reject control or discipline.

The teenager kicked over the traces and stayed out all night.

After years of strict rules, he finally kicked over the traces.

kick the tyres

idiom

To test something carefully before buying or accepting it.

I kicked the tyres on the used car before buying it.

Investors should kick the tyres of any startup they fund.

kick up a fuss, stink, etc.

idiom

To complain loudly or make a scene about something.

She kicked up a fuss when the waiter brought the wrong order.

The neighbors kicked up a stink about the loud music.

kick up your heels

idiom

To relax and enjoy yourself, often after work or responsibility.

After finals, the students kicked up their heels at the party.

She kicked up her heels on her vacation in Hawaii.

kick somebody upstairs

idiom

To promote someone to a position that seems important but has less real power.

The company kicked the troublesome manager upstairs to a vice president role.

They kicked him upstairs to get him out of the way.

kick somebody when they’re down

idiom

To continue to hurt someone who is already in a weak position.

It's cruel to kick someone when they're down.

After losing his job, his friends kicked him when he was down.

kick — noun

Word family

  • kicker
    nounB2
  • kickoff
    nounB2
  • kickstand
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These words all describe hitting or touching something but differ in which body part or tool is used and how much force is applied. 'Kick' (verb/1) is the general word for hitting with the foot. 'Boot' means to kick hard or to get rid of something with a kick, often implying the person is wearing boots — 'he booted the stone off the path'. 'Punt' is a sports-specific term for dropping a ball and kicking it before it reaches the ground; it requires a certain technique and is not a general-purpose word. 'Strike' is broader — it covers hitting with any body part or object, not only the foot: you can strike someone with your hand, a stick, or a ball. 'Tap' means to touch lightly, usually with the toe or front of the foot — 'she tapped the ball gently to her teammate'. Choose 'boot' for forceful removal, 'punt' for the specific sports technique, 'strike' when the body part is not important, and 'tap' for gentle contact.

boot ↗puntstrike ↗tap ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • give someone a kick
  • get a kick out of
  • kick the habit
  • on a ... kick
  • a pair of kicks

Prepositions

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'kick' first appeared in English around the 1300s, coming from Middle English 'kiken' or 'kikken'. Its exact origin is uncertain, but many scholars trace it to Old Norse 'kikna', which means 'to bend at the knees' or 'to sink backward' — imagine the bending motion of a leg before a kick. Over the centuries, the word grew from a simple physical action into many figurative meanings. The noun sense 'a thrill' (get a kick out of) dates to the 1830s, and the habit-stopping sense (kick the habit) became common in the 1900s.