kick in
Britishverb
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(intr) to start or become activated
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informal (tr) to contribute
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Contribute one's share, as in We'll kick in half if you take care of the rest . [ Colloquial ; c. 1900]
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Also, kick off . Die, as in No one knows when he'll kick in , or He finally kicked off yesterday . [ Slang ; first half of 1900s] Also see kick the bucket .
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Begin to operate, as in Finally the motor kicked in and we could get started . This usage was first recorded in 1908.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Yes, it is fairly typical for governing parties to get a kicking in by-elections.
From BBC
As the year advanced, European exports to the U.S. slowed as higher tariffs kicked in and the euro strengthened.
As the new levies kicked in on Tuesday, observers said 2026 could see more tariff-based friction but they did not expect it to be as painful for markets as last year's upheaval.
From Barron's
Moments later, a second rocket motor kicks in with a deafening roar.
From BBC
"Ford is an exceptional tactical kicker but he has not been kicking in the last two games and they have struggled as a result of it."
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
