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kick in the pants

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kick in the pants

1. A forceful gesture or message of some kind (usually delivered with good intentions) that acts as motivation to the (previously unmotivated) recipient. These days, teenagers seem to need a swift kick in the pants to convince them to do well in school. That speeding ticket was the kick in the pants that Dan needed to get his driving under control.

2. A frustrating or unwelcome occurrence. Having to move back in with my parents at age 40 is a real kick in the pants.

See also: kick, pant

kick in the (seat of the) pants

 and kick in the ass; a kick in the butt; a kick in the teeth

Fig. Inf. a strong message of encouragement or demand. (Use ass and butt with discretion.) All he needs is a kick in the seat of the pants to get him going. A kick in the butt will get her moving.

See also: kick, pant

kick in the pants

verb

See kick in the seat of the pants

See also: kick, pant