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kick back

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kick back

 

1. Inf. to relax; to lean back and relax. (See also lie back.) I really like to kick back and relax. It's time to kick back and enjoy life.

2. . Inf. [for an addict] to return to an addiction or a habit, after having "kicked the habit." Lefty kicked back after only a few days of being clean. A lot of addicts kick back very soon.

See also: back, kick

kick back (at someone or something)

to kick at someone or something in revenge. She kicked at me, so I kicked back at her. If you kick me, I'll kick back.

See also: back, kick

kick something back (to someone or something)

to move something back to someone, something, or some place by kicking. I kicked the ball back to Walter. He kicked it to me, and I kicked it back.

See also: back, kick

kick back

1. to do less It's time to kick back and relax.

2. to return something My editor kicked back the first draft of the article and asked me to make some changes.

Related vocabulary: let yourself go

See also: back, kick

kick back

1. Recoil unexpectedly and violently, as in This rifle kicks back a lot when you fire it. [Early 1800s]

2. Return stolen property to the owner, as in The pawnbroker kicked back the paintings to the gallery. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]

3. Pay back a part of one's earnings, as in The workers were forced to kick back half their pay to the agent. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]

See also: back, kick

kick back

v.

1. To return something by kicking it: I'll roll the ball to you, and then you kick it back. The goalie kicked back the soccer ball.

2. To recoil unexpectedly and violently: Be careful with that power saw—if it kicks back, you could be badly injured. Hold the rifle tightly—otherwise it will kick back and bruise your shoulder.

3. To relax, especially by resting: I was too tired to work last night, so I just kicked back at home and watched TV.

4. Slang To pay someone in return for an illegal favor: The corrupt official kicked $1,000 back to the politicians who helped him get the grant money. If you can kick back some of your profits, I'll make sure you win that contract.

See also: back, kick

kick back

1. in. to relax (and enjoy something). I like to kick back and listen to a few tunes.

2. n. money received in return for a favor. (Usually kickback.) The kickback the cop got wasn’t enough, as it turned out.

3. in. [for an addict] to return to addiction after having been detoxified and withdrawn. (Drugs.) They may kick back a dozen times before it takes.

See also: back, kick