kick-up
C1Informal, Slang (for argument), Technical/Sports (for tennis).
Definition
Meaning
A sudden argument, disturbance, or noisy protest.
In tennis, a high, spinning serve designed to bounce unpredictably high upon impact; a type of 'kicking' serve.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a British informal noun meaning a fuss or argument. In sports (tennis), it refers to a specific serve trajectory and is standard terminology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The informal noun 'kick-up' (as in fuss) is predominantly British. American English would typically use 'ruckus', 'fuss', 'stink', or 'commotion' instead. The tennis term is neutral.
Connotations
UK: Informal, often trivial or unserious dispute. US: (for tennis) Technical, descriptive.
Frequency
Rare in American English outside of specific sports contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
There was a kick-up over [noun phrase].He kicked up a [fuss/row/stink] about [noun phrase].The server produced a kick-up.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “kick up a fuss”
- “kick up a stink”
- “kick up a row”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Can be used informally: 'There was a right kick-up in the meeting when the pay cuts were announced.'
Academic
Unlikely except in socio-linguistic analysis of informal British English.
Everyday
Common in British informal speech: 'Don't make such a kick-up about it.'
Technical
Standard in tennis commentary: 'She saved the break point with a perfectly placed kick-up serve.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- There was a massive kick-up at the pub when they ran out of ale.
- We don't want another kick-up like last time.
American English
- Her kick-up serve is her biggest weapon on clay courts.
- (Informal, rare) He made quite a kick-up when he found his parking spot taken.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children kicked up a fuss when told to go to bed.
- There's always a kick-up when they try to change the schedule.
- The tennis coach advised her to work on her kick-up serve for the French Open.
- The shareholders kicked up a stink about the CEO's bonus package, leading to a formal inquiry.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of someone literally kicking a ball up into the air, causing a scene and everyone looking up. The 'up' suggests an escalation or start of a disturbance.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISTURBANCE IS A PHYSICAL DISPLACEMENT (kicking something up from the ground).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'kick-upstairs' (продвижение по службе).
- It is not a general term for 'scandal' (скандал) but a more informal, often minor one.
- The verb phrase 'kick up' is inseparable from its object (fuss/row) in this idiom.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal American English writing.
- Confusing 'kick-up' (noun) with 'kick up' (verb phrase).
- Using it as a verb without its object (e.g., 'He kicked up about the policy' is incomplete).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'kick-up' most likely to be used in standard American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, as a noun meaning 'fuss' it is informal British slang. As a tennis term, it is standard sports vocabulary.
Not in the idiomatic sense. You must use the full phrase 'kick up a fuss/row/stink'. The noun 'kick-up' exists independently.
'Kick up a fuss' is more general. 'Kick up a stink' implies a more aggressive, vocal, and potentially public complaint.
Yes, they are synonymous terms for a serve with heavy topspin that causes the ball to bounce high and away from the receiver.
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