kick off
B1Informal
Definition
Meaning
To begin or start something, especially an event, activity, or process.
1. To forcibly remove someone or something. 2. (Football/soccer) To start a match by kicking the ball from the center spot. 3. (Figurative) To become angry, protest, or cause trouble.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb, also used as a noun 'kick-off'. In the 'start' sense, it often implies a formal or planned beginning. The 'become angry' sense is more informal and potentially dated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Noun form is hyphenated ('kick-off') in British English, often written as one word or open in American English ('kickoff'/'kick off'). The football/soccer sense is far more frequent in British usage.
Connotations
In British English, it's strongly associated with football. In American English, it's more generic for starting meetings, campaigns, or events.
Frequency
Higher frequency in British English due to football context; common in American business/informal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Event/Person] kicks off [at Time][Person] kicks off [Event] with [Activity]Let's kick off.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “kick off your shoes (relax)”
- “kick up a fuss (similar to angry sense)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to start meetings, projects, or campaigns. 'We'll kick off the Q3 planning at 10 am.'
Academic
Rare in formal writing; may appear in presentations to signal the start of a talk or discussion.
Everyday
Common for planned events, parties, holidays, or trips. 'The summer holidays kick off next Friday.'
Technical
In football/soccer commentary and analysis; in project management as informal jargon.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The Premier League season kicks off in August.
- The speaker kicked off with a controversial statement.
- He really kicked off when he saw the mess.
American English
- Let's kick off the meeting with a quick round of introductions.
- The marketing campaign will kick off next Monday.
- The festival kicks off at noon with a parade.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The kick-off time is 3 pm.
- We have a kick-off meeting scheduled.
American English
- The kickoff event is in the main hall.
- Send out the kickoff agenda to the team.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The match kicks off at two o'clock.
- The party will kick off at my house.
- Let's kick off the presentation with our latest sales figures.
- The new film series kicks off this Friday.
- The negotiations kicked off on a positive note, but tensions soon arose.
- She kicked off her shoes and relaxed on the sofa.
- The controversy kicked off a fierce debate in academic circles.
- The CEO kicked off the annual conference by outlining the company's bold new vision.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a football player KICKing the ball OFF the center spot to START the game. The action literally starts the match.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNING IS A DEPARTURE/JOURNEY (we 'kick off' a journey), ANGER IS HEAT/A PHYSICAL REACTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation 'ударить прочь'. For 'start', use начинать(ся). The 'angry' sense is not directly translatable with a single verb; use рассердиться, выйти из себя.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in overly formal contexts. *'The treaty negotiations kicked off.' (Poor). Confusing with 'kick out' (expel). *'They kicked him off the bar for fighting.' (Should be 'kicked out').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'kick off' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily informal. It is common in business and everyday contexts but should be avoided in very formal writing like academic papers or legal documents.
'Kick off' often implies a planned, often ceremonial or notable beginning of an event or process. 'Start' is more general and neutral.
Yes, but this is an informal, somewhat dated, and chiefly British usage. e.g., 'He kicked off when he heard the news.'
In British English, the hyphenated 'kick-off' is standard. In American English, the single word 'kickoff' is most common for the noun.