/ kɪk; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[often + adv. / prep. ] to hit sb/sth with your foot :
[ vn ]
She was punched and kicked by her attackers.
The boys were kicking a ball around in the yard.
Vandals had kicked the door down.
[ v ]
Stop kicking—it hurts!
[also vn - adj ]
2.
to move your legs as if you were kicking sth :
[ vn ]
The dancers kicked their legs in the air.
[ v ]
The child was dragged away, kicking and screaming .
3.
[ vn ] kick yourself ( informal ) to be annoyed with yourself because you have done sth stupid, missed an opportunity, etc. :
He'll kick himself when he finds out he could have had the job.
4.
[ vn ] ( in sports such as football ( soccer ) and rugby ) to score points by kicking the ball :
to kick a penalty / goal
•
IDIOMS
- kick (some / sb's) ass
- kick the bucket
- kick the habit, drug, booze, etc.
- kick your heels
- kick sb in the teeth
- kick over the traces
- kick up a fuss, stink, etc.
- kick up your heels
- kick sb upstairs
- kick sb when they're down
—more at alive , hell
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- kick about / around
- kick sb around
- kick sth about / around
- kick against sth
- kick back
- kick in
- kick off
- kick off (with sth)
- kick sth off
- kick off sth
- kick out (at sb/sth)
- kick sb out (of sth)
- kick up
- kick sth up
■ noun
1.
a movement with the foot or the leg, usually to hit sth with the foot :
the first kick of the game
She gave him a kick on the shin.
He aimed a kick at the dog.
If the door won't open, give it a kick.
( slang )
She needs a kick up the backside (= she needs to be strongly encouraged to do sth or to behave better) .
—see also free kick , penalty kick , spot kick
2.
( informal ) a strong feeling of excitement and pleasure
SYN thrill :
I get a kick out of driving fast cars.
He gets his kicks from hurting other people.
What do you do for kicks ?
3.
[ usually sing. ] ( informal ) the strong effect that a drug or an alcoholic drink has :
This drink has quite a kick.
•
IDIOMS
- a kick in the teeth
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : of unknown origin.