kick
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: enpr: kĭk
ipa: /kɪk/
ipa: [kʰɪk]
rhymes: -ɪk
Forms: form: kicks
Etymology: From Middle English kyken (“to strike out with the foot”), from Old Norse kikna (“to sink at the knees”) and keikja (“to bend backwards”) (compare Old Norse keikr (“bent backwards, the belly jutting forward”)), from Proto-Germanic *kaikaz (“bent backwards”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Proto-Germanic *kī-, *kij- (“to split, dodge, swerve sidewards”), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵeyH- (“to sprout, shoot”). Compare also Dutch kijken (“to look”), Middle Low German kīken (“to look, watch”). See keek.
Senses: examples: text: A kick to the knee.
text: A kick of his boot-heel sent the door flying into the room.
ref: 1890, Jacob A[ugust] Riis, “A Raid on the Stale-beer Dives”, in How the Other Half Lives: Studies among the Tenements of New York, New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner’s Sons, →OCLC, page 72:
text: Elsad Zverotic gave Montenegro hope with a goal with the last kick of the first half - and when Rooney was deservedly shown red by referee Wolfgang Stark, England were placed under pressure they could not survive.
ref: 2011, Phil McNulty, Euro 2012: Montenegro 2-2 England:
synonyms: calcation
glosses: A hit or strike with the leg, foot or knee.
examples: text: The ballerina did a high kick and a leap.
glosses: The action of swinging a foot or leg.
examples: text: I finally saw the show. What a kick!
text: I think I sprained something on my latest exercise kick.
text: get a kick out of
text: get one's kicks
text: Won't you get hip to this kindly tip / When you ride that California trip / Get your kicks on Route 66
ref: 1946, Bobby Troup, “Route 66”, performed by Nat King Cole:
text: I get no kick from champagne. Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all. So tell me why should it be true that I get a kick out of you. Some hey may go for cocaine. I'm sure that if I took even one sniff it would bore me terrifically, too. Yet, I get a kick out of you.[…]I get no kick in a plane. Flying too high with some gal in the sky is my idea of nothing to do. Yet I get a kick. You give me a boot. I get a kick out of you.
ref: 1954 January 4, “I Get a Kick Out of You”, in Songs for Young Lovers, performed by Frank Sinatra:
text: «Ah, it’s all right, it’s just kicks. We only live once. We’re having a good time.»
ref: 1957, Jack Kerouac, chapter 4, in On the Road, Viking Press, →OCLC, part 2:
text: The “Mods” say it was the “Rockers” who came looking for trouble. Both groups, however, admit that they were “looking for kicks.”
ref: 1964 March 31, “Rival Teen‐Age Gangs Terrorize British Sea Resort”, in The New York Times:
text: I have a theory […] that the Butterfield Band, who played in back of Dylan was really the Kingston Trio getting kicks […]
ref: 1965 August, Mississippi Phil Ochs, “The Newport Fuzz Festival”, in The Realist, number 61, retrieved 13 Nov 2022, page 11:
text: I wanna hold her, wanna hold her tight / Get teenage kicks right through the night
ref: 1979, John O'Neill, “Teenage Kicks”, performed by The Undertones:
text: This is a common experience among drug addicts who need stronger and stronger doses to regain the old 'kicks'.
ref: 1996, Samuel Brittan, Capitalism with a human face, page 136:
text: They seek new kicks, new thrills, new adventures.
ref: 2010, Theodore J. Kaczynski, edited by David Skrbina, Technological Slavery, page 385:
glosses: Something that tickles the fancy; something fun or amusing; a pleasure; a thrill.
glosses: The removal of a person from an online activity.
examples: text: The car had a nasty kick the whole way.
text: The pool ball took a wild kick, up off the table.
glosses: Any bucking motion of an object that lacks legs or feet.
examples: text: Add a little cascabel pepper to ordinary tomato sauce to give it a kick.
ref: 2002, Ellen and Michael Albertson, Temptations, Fireside, page 124 http://books.google.com/books?id=cITFVpz2ri8C&pg=PA124&dq=kick
text: For extra kick, hollow out a lime, float it on top of the drink, and fill it with tequila.
ref: 2003, Sheree Bykofsky, Megan Buckley, Sexy City Cocktails, Adams Media, →ISBN, page 129:
text: The first time I saw "Deep Water," the trace of mystery in the Crowhurst affair gave the movie a kick of excitement.
ref: 2007 August 27, Anthony Lane, “Lone Sailors”, in The New Yorker, volume 83, numbers 22-28:
glosses: A pungent or spicy flavour; piquancy.
glosses: A stimulation provided by an intoxicating substance.
topics: ball-games
games
hobbies
lifestyle
soccer
sports
glosses: A pass played by kicking with the foot.
examples: text: a long kick up the field.
topics: ball-games
games
hobbies
lifestyle
soccer
sports
glosses: The distance traveled by kicking the ball.
glosses: The recoil of a gun.
examples: text: Some nights I’d try my luck in the crap game and wind up with a grand or more in my kick.
ref: 1946, Milton “Mezz” Mezzrow, Bernard Wolfe, “Quit Foolin’ with That Comb”, in Really the Blues, New York, N.Y.: Random House, book 1 (1899–1923: A Nothin’ but a Child), page 44:
text: Her mind couldn’t lose sight of […]the bloodied nickel plated pistol Angie had in his kick.
ref: 1952, George Mandel, Flee the Angry Strangers, Bobs-Merrill, page 383:
text: Swell shows all of ‘em, except this last one. […] Set me back two-seventy-five, including tax, and I wish I’d got it in my kick right now.
ref: 2008, P.G.Wodehouse, The Adventures of Sally (Volume 2 of 2)^(https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Adventures_of_Sally_Volume_2_of_2_Ea/xgDo0M2Q3FQC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22it+in+(his%7Cher%7Cmy%7Cyour)+kick%22&pg=PA277&printsec=frontcover), ReadHowYouWant.com, page 277:
text: If you keep Nan’s advice you’ll keep it in your kick.
ref: 2008, Loren D. Estleman, Port Hazard:A Page Murdock Novel^(https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Port_Hazard/_xrwWAAVU40C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22it+in+(his%7Cher%7Cmy%7Cyour)+kick%22&pg=PT88&printsec=frontcover), Tom Doherty Associates:
text: You take that and put it in your kick. I’ve had plenty of cash out of you already.
ref: 2012, Max Brand (Frederick Schiller Faust), Silvertip’s Trap, Adams Media:
glosses: A pocket.
glosses: An increase in speed in the final part of a running race.
topics: broadcasting
film
media
television
glosses: Synonym of kicker (“backlight positioned at an angle”).
synonyms: word: kicker
extra: backlight positioned at an angle
examples: text: Two and a kick—two shillings and a kick.
ref: 1912, French's Acting Edition of Plays, Dramas, Extravaganzas, Farces etc., page 12:
text: That's the stuff that will do the trick / Sold at every chemist for one and a kick
ref: 1941, Eddie Latta, George Formby, “Auntie Maggie's Remedy”, performed by George Formby:
glosses: Sixpence.
examples: text: All the other kids with the pumped up kicks / You better run, better run, outrun my gun
ref: 2010, Mark Foster, “Pumped Up Kicks”, performed by Foster the People:
glosses: A shoe.
Derived terms: sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: antikick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: autokick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: axe kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: backkick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: banana kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: be left kicking
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: bicycle kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: box kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: butterfly kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: butt-kicking
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: crescent kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: crosskick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: cross-kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: donkey kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: drop kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: dropkick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: flying kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: for kicks
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: free kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: get a kick out of
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: hook kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kecks
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickability
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickable
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick about
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickabout
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick against
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick against the pricks
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick around
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickaround
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick arse
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick-assery
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick ass
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickass
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick at an open door
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickathon
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick at the can
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick at the cat
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick back
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickback
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickball
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickban
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickboard
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickbox
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickboxing
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick butt
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickdrum
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickee
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicker
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickflip
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick in
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicking and screaming
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicking at an open door
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicking boots
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicking in danger
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicking kuh
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicking strap
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick in the pants
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick in the teeth
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickish
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick it
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickless
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick like a mule
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickline
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick motor
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickmotor
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick off
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick-off
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick on
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick one's heels
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick out
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickover
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick over
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick over the traces
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick payment
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickplate
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick-pleated
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick return
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick returner
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick rocks
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicks
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicks and giggles
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick shit
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicksled
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick someone's arse
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick someone's butt
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick someone when they are down
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick some tail
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicksorter
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickstand
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick start
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick-starter
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick-step
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickster
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickstool
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicksy-wicksy
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicktail
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick tail
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick the bucket
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick the can down the road
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick the can
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick-the-can
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick the habit
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick the shit out of
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick to
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick to the curb
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick up
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick up one's heels
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick upstairs
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick up the arse
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick up the ass
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick up the backside
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick up the butt
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick wheel
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kick with
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kickwriting
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: kicky
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: like kicking dead whales down the beach
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: miskick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: more kicks than ha'pence
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: mule kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: no kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: on a kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: outkick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: overhead kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: placekick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: rainbow kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: rekick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: roundhouse kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: scissor kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: scissors kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: shin-kicking
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: showtime kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: sidekick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: spot kick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: sun kicks
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: superkick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: upkick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: votekick
sense: Terms derived from the noun or verb
word: wheel kick