to kick
- verb
- /kɪk/
- Concepcion spoke proudly of having kicked a drug and alcohol habit.
- kick the habit
So I had kicked the opioids right before.
- So I had kicked the opioids right before.
- It might just help you kick that bad habit back to the interview.
Examples
-
We are all water junkies, though, and are unable to kick this particular addiction.
Academic text (2018) -
Another habit to kick is citing authority for everything you say.
Academic text (2011) -
You can make up your mind right now to kick.
-
After years of struggling with tobacco, she finally decided to kick the habit for good.
-
He worked hard to kick his caffeine addiction, replacing coffee with herbal tea.
-
To improve his health, Mark managed to kick his late-night snacking routine.
Synonyms
To stop trying to do something or accept defeat
To stop using drugs or alcohol and stay sober
Stop doing something bad you do often, for example smoking
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
A very bad disappointment that makes you feel hurt and unfairly treated
- Offensive
To do very well and act confidently, often in a forceful way
- Informal
To treat someone badly when they already have problems
- Archaic
To resist authority in a way that is useless and makes things worse
Phrasal Verbs
- Slang
To have a sudden strong want to buy things you do not need when you see new items or sales
Compounds
- Specialized
A kick given to a team after the other team breaks a rule, taken without nearby opponents
A kick in football taken from the corner after a defender last touched the ball for the attacking team
A kick by the defending team from the goal area to restart play after the ball crosses the goal line
- Specialized
A swimming move used underwater in which both legs move up and down together in a smooth wave
- Specialized
A fast up-and-down kick with straight legs used in freestyle and backstroke
- Specialized
A swimming movement where you pull your knees up, straighten your legs, and push them together like a frog
- Offensive
A chaotic rushed situation that happens because of poor planning
- Specialized
A metal or plastic strip fixed to the bottom of a door to protect it from scuff marks
- Specialized
A removable panel at the bottom of an appliance or door that protects it and gives access to parts inside
- Specialized
A short fold at the back of a straight skirt or coat that lets you walk easily
- Specialized
A lever on a motorcycle that you press with your foot to start the engine
- Specialized
A kick in sports like football where the ball is placed on the ground to score or restart play
- Specialized
A swimming leg movement that opens and closes the legs to move the body forward in sidestroke
How Habit-Free
Surface Forms
Etymology
Kick in the phrase to 'kick a habit' is an image of pushing the bad habit away with your foot. A helpful way to remember it is to think of 'kicking' the habit out of your life, which is why it means to stop a harmful habit.