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Glite Dictionary
to kick at the can

to kick at the can

8.4
Try again to do something after failing
  • idiom
  • US
translation icon : intentar de nuevo
  • After failing to get the job, he decided to kick at the can and apply once more.

Examples

  • She wasn't discouraged by rejection and wanted to kick at the can again.

  • Let's kick at the can one more time!

  • Despite the setback, the team is ready to kick at the can next season.

  • After the setback, they decided to kick at the can again.

  • After failing to get the job, he decided to kick at the can and apply once more.

  • Despite the setback, the team is ready to kick at the can next season.

  • She wasn't discouraged by rejection and wanted to kick at the can again.

Synonyms

to try again
vsto kick at the can
461 1.0

Do something one more time after you fail

is about making another attempt after a previous failure
to start over
vsto kick at the can
283 2.5

To do something again from the start after a mistake or problem

means trying again without returning to the very beginning
to take a shot at
vsto kick at the can
  • Informal
45 3.7

To try to do something even when success is uncertain

is used for another try that follows a prior failure
to take a crack at
vsto kick at the can
  • Informal
16 4.9

To try to do something, often for the first time

refers to repeating an action after a previous failure not first tries
to take a stab at
vsto kick at the can
  • Informal
10 5.3

To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed

refers instead to making another effort after earlier failure
to get back on the horse
vsto kick at the can
  • Informal
6 5.0

To try again after a failure, especially when you feel afraid

means making another attempt but with emphasis on restoring confidence
to have a stab at
vsto kick at the can
  • UK
1 5.3

To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed

implies instead making another attempt after previously failing
to reattempt
vsto kick at the can
3.2

To try again to do something after failing

focuses on repeating the same action after a setback

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

to abandon
401 3.8

Stop supporting an idea or plan

How Determined

to persist
62 3.7
to kick at the can
  • US
8.4
to try again
461 1.0

Surface Forms

kick at the can infinitive
kicked at the can past
kicked at the can past participle
kicking at the can present participle
kicks at the can third person singular

Morphology

kick + at + the + can

The phrase literally evokes attempting to kick an object: 'kick at' already carries an implicature of trying or making an attempt, so a learner who knows the words could plausibly infer a meaning related to 'trying' or 'having a go.' However, the specific pragmatic nuance of 'make another attempt after a failure' is a conventionalized, metaphorical extension of the physical scene and not fully predictable without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The phrasal verb kick at the can may come from the image of someone who keeps trying to kick an empty can down the road, giving it another small push each time. That's why it means 'to make another attempt' or 'to try again'.