Skip to main content
to kick

to kick

7 6.8
Move back suddenly because of a strong push or impact
  • verb
  • /kɪk/
: dar un retroceso

Examples

  • If this 2,000-pound cow kicks us, it's gonna hurt.

  • Hands on his hips, he walked in a little circle, kicking up grass clods.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • USAMRIID - REAR ENTRANCE PARKING LOT - SUNDOWN. Doors kick open from the lead white van.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The rifle made a loud noise as it kicked back against my shoulder after I fired it.

  • When the bullet was discharged, the gun kicked sharply, causing me to adjust my stance.

  • After the powerful shot, I could feel the gun kick with a force that surprised me.

Synonyms

to jerk
vsto kick
98 2.0

To move something suddenly and sharply

is specifically about springing backward due to a forceful impact
to recoil
vsto kick
25 4.9

To move quickly backward because of fear, pain, or disgust

is limited to mechanical springing backward after a forceful impact
to buck
vsto kick
15 6.8

To move suddenly and violently to try to throw someone off

describes a passive backward spring caused by impact, not active violent motion
to kick back
vsto kick
1 6.1

To move back suddenly because of a strong hit

is the common term for that exact mechanical backward reaction

Antonyms

to stay put
  • Informal
126 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

Keep something or someone in place and still

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 Strong

to kick
7 6.8
jolt
53 3.8
to jerk
98 2.0
to twitch
79 2.8

Surface Forms

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

Etymology

Kick used for a machine or gun that springs back comes from the image of a sudden foot strike that makes something move back. So when a machine or gun kicks, it gives a quick, forceful push or rebound.