kick on
B2-C1Informal; colloquial; common in sports commentary and general conversation.
Definition
Meaning
To continue or proceed, especially with renewed energy or effort; to keep going.
Often used in sporting or motivational contexts to describe persevering or pushing forward despite difficulty. Also used to describe continuing an activity (like a party) late into the night.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Phrasal verb (intransitive). Implies progression or continuation from a point, often with a sense of determination or resilience. Has a figurative sense related to effort and momentum, not a literal 'kick'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British and Australian English; understood but slightly less frequent in American English, where 'push on', 'keep going', or 'press on' might be more typical.
Connotations
In UK/AU: Strong association with sports (rugby, football) and social contexts (continuing a night out). In US: May sound slightly more idiomatic or British-influenced.
Frequency
High frequency in UK/AU informal speech; medium to low frequency in US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + kick on[Subject] + kick on + [Adverbial (e.g., after half-time)][Subject] + decide to + kick onVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “kick on regardless”
- “kick on into the night”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used informally in meetings: 'The team kicked on after the initial setback to meet the deadline.'
Academic
Extremely rare; inappropriate for formal writing.
Everyday
Common: 'It was late, but we decided to kick on to the next pub.'
Technical
Mostly in sports journalism/commentary: 'The striker kicked on and scored the winning goal.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Despite the rain, the cricket team kicked on and completed their innings.
- We'll just kick on at my place after the pub closes.
American English
- After a tough first quarter, the team kicked on to win the game.
- The concert finished, but the band kicked on with an impromptu jam session.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We were tired, but we kicked on and finished the walk.
- The players kicked on in the second half and played much better.
- After a brief rest, she kicked on and finished the marathon in good time.
- The party showed no sign of stopping as everyone decided to kick on until sunrise.
- The company struggled early on but managed to kick on and capture a significant market share.
- Despite the controversial ruling, the athlete kicked on and secured a personal best.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a tired footballer getting a second wind and literally 'kicking' the ball 'on' up the pitch to continue the attack.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEY / PROGRESS IS FORWARD MOTION. Continuing is portrayed as propelling oneself forward with a kick.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Прямой перевод 'пинать на' бессмысленен. Не связано с 'kick' (удар ногой) в прямом смысле.
- Не путать с 'kick off' (начинать). 'Kick on' – продолжать после начала.
- Ближайшие эквиваленты: 'продолжать (с усилием)', 'не сбавлять темпа'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it transitively: 'He kicked on the project' (incorrect). It is intransitive.
- Confusing it with 'kick off' (to start).
- Using in overly formal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'kick on' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is strictly informal and colloquial.
Yes, it is understood, but synonyms like 'push on' or 'keep going' are more common.
No, it is an intransitive phrasal verb. You kick on; you do not kick on *something*.
'Kick off' means to start (e.g., a game, meeting). 'Kick on' means to continue or proceed with renewed effort after having started.