kick out
B2Informal
Definition
Meaning
To force someone to leave a place or group, often suddenly and unceremoniously.
To expel, eject, or dismiss; can apply to removing objects or terminating processes metaphorically.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A phrasal verb implying forceful removal, often with authority or finality. Strongly agentive (someone kicks someone else out).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic differences. 'Throw out' is equally common in both, but 'kick out' is slightly more informal/vivid.
Connotations
Both convey a sense of abrupt dismissal. Slightly stronger physical metaphor in BrE (linked to football).
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in spoken AmE; in BrE, 'chuck out' is a common informal synonym.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] kicks [Object] out (of [Place/Group])[Object] gets kicked out (of [Place/Group])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “kick out the jams (slang, musical)”
- “kick someone out on their ear (emphatic)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Informal: 'They kicked him out of the board for misconduct.'
Academic
Rare; 'expel' is preferred. 'The study was kicked out of the meta-analysis due to flawed methodology.'
Everyday
Very common: 'His landlord kicked him out for not paying rent.'
Technical
Not typical; 'eject' or 'terminate' used in computing/sports.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The pub landlord kicked out the rowdy patrons.
- She got kicked out of sixth form for skipping classes.
American English
- The bouncer kicked them out of the club.
- He was kicked out of the frat for hazing.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher will kick you out if you are noisy.
- He was kicked out of the game.
- They kicked him out of the restaurant for arguing.
- If you break the rules, you might get kicked out.
- The party host kicked out the uninvited guests after the disturbance.
- She risked being kicked out of the course for plagiarism.
- The incumbent was effectively kicked out of the committee by a vote of no confidence.
- The software's faulty module was kicked out of the final build by the engineers.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a football (soccer) player KICKing the ball OUT of the stadium—forcibly sending it away.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL RELATIONS ARE PHYSICAL FORCE / MEMBERSHIP IS CONTAINMENT (removing from inside a container).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal 'выбивать' (to knock out). Use 'выгонять' (to chase out) or 'исключать' (to expel).
- Not synonymous with 'увольнять' (to fire from a job) unless context is leaving a physical place.
Common Mistakes
- *He was kicked from the university. (Correct: kicked out of the university)
- Incorrect particle order: *Kick out him. (Correct: Kick him out.)
Practice
Quiz
Which situation BEST illustrates the meaning of 'kick out'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal. In formal writing, use 'expel', 'eject', or 'remove'.
'Fire' is specific to dismissing someone from a job. 'Kick out' is broader, meaning to force someone to leave any place or group.
Yes, metaphorically. E.g., 'The antivirus kicked out the malware.'
Pronouns must go between the verb and particle: 'kick him out' (correct), *'kick out him' (incorrect).