kick

(kĭk)

verb kicked, kick·ing, kicks verb, intransitive

1. To strike out with the foot or feet.
2. Sports
   a. To score or gain ground by kicking a ball.
   b. To punt in football.
   c. To propel the body in swimming by moving the legs, as with a flutter kick or frog kick.
3. To recoil: The powerful rifle kicked upon being fired.
4. Informal
   a. To express negative feelings vigorously; complain.
   b. To oppose by argument; protest.

verb, transitive

1. To strike with the foot.
2. To propel by striking with the foot.
3. To spring back against suddenly: The rifle kicked my shoulder when I fired it.
4. Sports To score (a goal or point) by kicking a ball.

noun

1. a. A vigorous blow with the foot.
   b. Sports The motion of the legs that propels the body in swimming.
2. A jolting recoil: a rifle with a heavy kick.
3. Slang A complaint; a protest.
4. Slang Power; force: a car engine with a lot of kick.
5. Slang
   a. A feeling of pleasurable stimulation: got a kick out of the show.
   b. kicks Fun: went bowling just for kicks.
6. Slang Temporary, often obsessive interest: I'm on a science fiction kick.
7. Slang A sudden, striking surprise; a twist.
8. Sports
   a. The act or an instance of kicking a ball.
   b. A kicked ball.
   c. The distance spanned by a kicked ball.

Phrasal Verbs: kick about To move from place to place. kick around Informal To treat badly; abuse. To move from place to place: “spent the next three years in Italy, kicking around the country on a motor scooter” (Charles E. Claffey). To give thought or consideration to; ponder or discuss. kick back To recoil unexpectedly and violently. Informal To take it easy; relax: kicked back at home and watched TV. Slang To return (stolen items). Slang To pay a kickback. kick in Informal To contribute (one's share): kicked in a few dollars for the office party. Informal To become operative or take effect: “His pituitary kicked in, and his growth was suddenly vertical” (Kenneth Browser). Slang To die. kick off Sports To begin or resume play with a kickoff. Informal To begin; start: kicked off the promotional tour with a press conference. Slang To die. kick out Slang To throw out; dismiss. kick over To begin to fire: The engine finally kicked over. kick up Informal To increase in amount or force; intensify: A sandstorm kicked up while we drove through the desert. To stir up (trouble): kicked up a row. To show signs of disorder: His ulcer has kicked up again.