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to kick

to kick

∞ 1.0
Hit something with the foot, for example a ball in a sport
  • verb
  • /kɪk/
: patear
  • He decided to kick the ball into the goal during the match.
  • kick the ball
  • get kicked
  • kick away

We're going to do a quick little run and kick and punch, OK.

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Examples

  • And then Jamie kicked it into my face.

  • -I got kicked off the team.

  • We're going to do a quick little run and kick and punch, OK.

  • What I'm thinking in that situation is kick it, all right?

  • And that is why we used it to kick off the Manifesto.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The fundamental motor skills that were taught were selected from catching, kicking, striking, and throwing.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The New York Botanical Garden imports performers from Broadway shows to kick off some of its events.

    Academic text (2011)
  • For exercise, she likes to kick high to improve her flexibility.

  • The coach told the players to kick their feet up during the drills.

Synonyms

to shoot
vsto kick
209 1.3

To try to score by sending a ball toward the goal

is a general foot strike not always aimed at a target
to boot
vsto kick
42 3.2

To kick someone or something with force

is a neutral foot strike not necessarily forceful
to punt
vsto kick
18 5.9

To kick the ball after dropping it from the hands before it hits the ground

is a general foot strike not originating from a hand drop
to drop-kick
vsto kick
4 6.0

To kick a ball after dropping it so it hits the ground first

is a general foot strike not limited to that timing
to volley
vsto kick
  • Specialized
1 4.2

To hit a ball before it touches the ground in sports

is the same action but can happen after the ball bounces
to dropkick
vsto kick
1 6.5

To drop the ball and hit it with your foot as it bounces in rugby or football

is a general foot strike not limited to that timing
to place-kick
vsto kick
  • Specialized
1 4.4

To kick a ball from the ground while it stays still to try to score

is a general foot strike not always from a fixed position

Idioms

21 8.6

Get rid of someone or something you no longer want

9 8.6

To die, said in casual or joking speech

8 4.2

Stop doing something bad you do often, for example smoking

7 6.7

To look at and try something before you decide to buy or use it

kick in the butt
  • Offensive
6 7.9

A kick to the behind that punishes someone

6 7.4

A very bad disappointment that makes you feel hurt and unfairly treated

3 6.4

Complain loudly about something small

on a kick
  • Informal
3 8.4

Having a strong interest in one activity for a short time

2 9.9

To do very well and act confidently, often in a forceful way

2 9.3

Play loud, energetic music to make people excited

1 8.8

Beat someone by a lot

To treat someone badly when they already have problems

Try again to do something after failing

To resist authority in a way that is useless and makes things worse

dog to kick
  • Informal
9.9

A person unfairly blamed when something goes wrong

Waste effort arguing about something everyone already agrees with

7.8

To wait doing nothing because you are delayed or bored

Suddenly stop seeing or talking to someone

7.2

To have fun and forget your worries

Phrasal Verbs

524 3.0

Force someone to leave a place or group

412 9.0

To beat or punish someone very badly

169 3.4

Start to have an effect after a short delay

168 3.5

To start an event or activity, often officially

to kick ass
  • Offensive
159 9.3

To be very good and impressive

to kick butt
  • Slang
101 8.5

To do very well and win a game or contest

36 4.1

Force a door or gate open by hitting it hard with your foot

to kick it
  • Slang
35 9.8

To spend time relaxing with friends

27 4.2

To cause trouble or a loud fuss

22 5.5

Force open a door or gate by hitting it with your foot

to kick in
  • Informal
21 4.1

Give money to help pay for a shared cost

16 4.2

Help a project, plan, or the economy begin quickly

13 3.8

To make dust rise into the air by kicking the ground

to kick around
  • Informal
10 4.6

Discuss an idea informally without making a decision

5 7.5

Treat someone badly and unfairly again and again

Make something start or move forward more quickly

2 8.4

Pay someone secretly to get a favor

to kick around
  • Informal
2 7.1

Be alive or still active after a long time

to kick rocks
  • Offensive
2 9.9

Tell someone to go away and leave you alone

to kick loose
  • Informal
1 8.1

To free yourself from a promise or duty that controls your life

1 6.1

To move back suddenly because of a strong hit

to kick upstairs
  • Informal
1 8.2

Send a problem to someone more senior to decide

to kick-ass
  • Offensive
1 8.7

To beat someone by a large amount in a contest or game

To do something that gives you energy in the morning

Make a motorcycle engine run by pushing a lever with your foot

to kick upstairs
  • Informal
1 7.9

Promote someone to a higher job to move them out of a key role

1 4.0

To force someone to leave a place, group or job

To have a sudden strong want to buy things you do not need when you see new items or sales

8.3

To stay alive or active when people think you will not

8.5

To give someone a lower job or rank at work

To put a plan aside and often leave it without action

To ask a higher manager to decide about a problem

Make people more interested and eager about something

Compounds

free kick
  • Specialized
6 2.3

A kick given to a team after the other team breaks a rule, taken without nearby opponents

extra kick
  • Informal
3 3.5

A small spicy taste or sudden energy that makes something more exciting

3 2.4

A kick in football taken from the corner after a defender last touched the ball for the attacking team

kick start
  • Specialized
2 4.7

A lever on a motorcycle that you press with your foot to start the engine

1 3.6

A kick by the defending team from the goal area to restart play after the ball crosses the goal line

1 6.6

An attempt to score by kicking the ball between the goalposts

kick-out
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A kick that a goalkeeper makes to send the ball back into play

1 8.2

A skiing move where you lift one ski and turn to go the other way while standing

scissors kick
  • Specialized
1 4.3

A swimming leg movement that opens and closes the legs to move the body forward in sidestroke

kick up
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A quick move that sends both legs over your head to start a handstand

kick pleat
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A short fold at the back of a straight skirt or coat that lets you walk easily

1 4.0

The act of forcing someone to leave a place or group

dolphin kick
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A swimming move used underwater in which both legs move up and down together in a smooth wave

flutter kick
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A fast up-and-down kick with straight legs used in freestyle and backstroke

kick plate
  • Specialized
1 3.3

A metal or plastic strip fixed to the bottom of a door to protect it from scuff marks

place kick
  • Specialized
1 3.8

A kick in sports like football where the ball is placed on the ground to score or restart play

frog kick
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A swimming movement where you pull your knees up, straighten your legs, and push them together like a frog

1 4.9

A strong spicy taste like black pepper that feels sharp in the mouth

A repeated leg movement in swimming that pushes the body forward

kick starter
  • Specialized
1 4.7

A lever on a motorcycle you push with your foot to start the motor

9.9

A chaotic rushed situation that happens because of poor planning

kick plate
  • Specialized
4.6

A removable panel at the bottom of an appliance or door that protects it and gives access to parts inside

How Hard

to boot
42 3.2
to punt
18 5.9
to kick
∞ 1.0
to stomp
77 2.9
to tap
98 1.0

Surface Forms

kick infinitive
kicked past
kicked past participle
kicking present participle
kicks third person singular

Etymology

Kick probably began as a sound or action word in old northern languages for a quick hit with the foot. So to kick is simply to strike, move, or push something with your foot.