kick someone about or around Definition

kick
verb kicked, kicking

1. To hit with the foot.

Example: The pony kicked the groom
Thesaurus: boot, punt, dropkick.
2. To propel something with the foot.

Example: kicks the ball
intr
3. To strike out or thrust with one or both feet, eg when swimming, fighting, struggling, etc.
tr & intr
4. Especially in dancing: to jerk (the leg) vigorously or swing it high.
intr
5. Said of a gun, etc: to recoil when fired.
intr
6. To resist it; to show opposition.

Example: kick against discipline
Form: kick against something (sometimes)
7. To get rid of (a habit, etc).

Thesaurus: give up, abandon, break, desist from, drop, leave, quit, spurn, stop, forsake.
8. rugby.
To score (a drop goal) or make (a conversion) by kicking the ball between the posts.
intr
9. athletics.
To put on an extra spurt.
Example: She kicked 200 metres from the finish

noun

1. A blow or fling with the foot.

Thesaurus: boot, blow, punt.
2. dancing, gymnastics, etc.
: a swing of the leg.
Example: high kicks
3. swimming.
Any of various leg movements.
4. The recoil of a gun, etc after firing.
5. colloq
A thrill of excitement.
Example: He gets a kick out of watching his son race
Thesaurus: joy, refreshment, enjoyment, fun, gratification, pleasure, stimulation, thrill, buzz (slang).
6. Power; pungency.
7. colloq
The powerful effect of certain drugs or strong drink, which is sometimes felt quite suddenly or unexpectedly.
Example: That fruit punch has quite a kick
8. athletics.
An extra spurt of speed; a sudden acceleration.
9. colloq
A brief enthusiasm.
Example: We're on a culture kick

Derivative: kicker

Someone or something that kicks
Example: Watch out, that horse is a kicker!

A player whose function is to take kicks, especially set-piece shots.

Idiom: alive and kicking

See under alive.

Idiom: for kicks

For thrills.

Idiom: kick ass

To act in a forceful or domineering way.

To have power or influence.

Idiom: kick in the teeth

colloq
A humiliating snub.

Idiom: kick oneself

To reproach oneself.
Example: I could have kicked myself for being so tactless

Idiom: kick over the traces

To throw off control.

Idiom: kick someone in the teeth

colloq
To inflict a snub on them.

Idiom: kick some-one up-stairs

colloq
To promote them to a position of higher rank but less influence.

Idiom: kick the bucket

colloq
To die.
Thesaurus: expire, pass away, die, croak (slang).

Idiom: kick up a fuss (kick up a row, kick up a stink)

colloq
To complain or disapprove strongly and vociferously.

Etymology: 14c as kiken.

Phrasal Verb: kick about or around

To lie around unused and neglected.
Example: The old set's kicking around in the attic
To be idle; to go about aimlessly.
Example: kicking about with his mates

Phrasal Verb: kick someone about or around

To treat them badly or roughly.

Phrasal Verb: kick something about or around

To discuss (an idea, etc) informally among several people.

Phrasal Verb: kick in

To take effect.
Example: as the effects of the pay freeze kick in commitment decreases

Phrasal Verb: kick off

To start, or restart, a football game by kicking the ball away from the centre.To begin a discussion or other activity involving several people.

Phrasal Verb: kick something off

To begin (a discussion, etc).

Phrasal Verb: kick someone or something out

To dismiss or get rid of them or it, especially using force.