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⏳ To start working 🚪 To break open 💵 To contribute
to kick in

to kick in

18 4.1
Give money to help pay for a shared cost
  • phrasal verb
  • /kɪk ɪn/
  • Informal
translation icon : aportar
  • Various other partners kicked in $963,000 in matching funds.

We had friends come in and just kick in a little bit.

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Examples

  • We encouraged everyone to kick in a little money for the charity event.

  • Say everybody kick in $5 a man and just take it over.

    End of the Line (1987)

  • We had friends come in and just kick in a little bit.

    Film Courage

  • All I need you to do is kick in, like, five grand.

    Fame (2009)

  • But if you could kick in the price of a cup of coffee.

    Blog text (18)

  • - You kicking in for gas?

    Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama 2 (2022)

  • Donors could also kick in $20,000 to any state parties involved in the joint fundraising effort.

    Academic text (2014)

  • And likewise, anyone who wants to kick in some money on the Kickstarter will earn my personal gratitude.

    Blog text (8)

  • I encourage you all to attend, and if you want to kick in for coffee and doughnuts, see me after tonight's meeting.

    You Kill Me (2007)

  • I pointed out to them, again, that if they didn't kick in their share of the rent, we'd be out on the street.

    Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

to give
vsto kick in
∞ 1.0

To offer time, effort, or money to help others

is narrower, centering on paying or adding to group efforts
to contribute
vsto kick in
883 2.7

To give money, help, or ideas to make something work

focuses specifically on adding money or resources to shared efforts
to pitch in
vsto kick in
58 3.3

Join others to give work, help, or money for a shared task

is used more for adding money or resources than hands-on work
to chip in
vsto kick in
31 3.2

Give money or help together to reach a shared goal

can also apply to single-person additions rather than group pooling
to pony up
vsto kick in
  • Informal
21 8.2

Pay money, often reluctantly, when others expect it

is neutral help without implying reluctance or compulsion
to put into the kitty
vsto kick in
  • Informal
6.2

Give money to a shared pot to pay for something the group needs

is broader and covers many kinds of support, not only pooled money

Antonyms

to withdraw
159 3.5

To take money or things out of a place where they are kept

How Much

to sponsor
362 3.7
to fund
576 3.0
to donate
457 2.7
to kick in
  • Informal
18 4.1
to chip in
31 3.2

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

kick + in

The contribution sense is somewhat derivable from 'kick' (to thrust) + 'in' (into), as if pushing money into a shared pot, so there is a transparent metaphorical link. However, this is a colloquial, extended use of the verb with multiple senses (e.g. take effect), and the money-specific meaning is not fully predictable for a B1 learner without prior exposure.

Etymology

Kick in comes from the image of pushing your share in to a common pot, as if you give a little kick to add money or help. That's why kick in can mean 'to contribute money or help'.