to give a kick
- phrasal verb
:
impulsar
- We had to give the campaign a kick to reignite public interest.
Examples
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She gave the meeting a kick by proposing a new idea.
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A bonus can give productivity a kick when morale is low.
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Let's give a kick to this project!
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Can you give a kick to this project?
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A bonus can give a kick to productivity when morale is low.
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She gave a kick to the meeting by proposing a new idea.
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We had to give a kick to the campaign to reignite public interest.
Synonyms
236
3.7
Make a person or thing more active, alert and responsive
45
4.7
To make someone want to do something
8
4.2
Help a project, plan, or the economy begin quickly
4
3.8
To start something quickly and give it extra energy to grow
Encourage someone gently to start doing something
Antonyms
How Effective
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning can be partly derived from 'give' (to provide) combined with a metaphorical sense of 'kick' as an impulsive jolt or impetus, so there is some compositional basis for 'to stimulate or initiate action'. However, the noun sense of 'kick' as 'impetus' is a figurative extension rather than the prototypical literal sense, and this metaphorical reading may not be predictable to an average B1 learner without prior exposure.
Etymology
Give a kick may come from the image of using a kick (a quick hit with the foot) to give a stopped thing movement, like kicking a ball or kick-starting a bike. So, as the kick makes the object move, give a kick now means 'to make something more active or to start it moving'.