verb

kick off

kik OF

Kick off (verb) means to begin something, especially an event, campaign or meeting. Example: “We'll kick off the session with introductions.”

verb

To begin something, especially an event, campaign or meeting.

"We'll kick off the session with introductions."

"The festival kicks off on Friday night."

In football and similar sports, to start play by kicking the ball from the centre spot; as a noun, kick-off is the moment play begins.

"United kick off in the second half."

"Kick-off is at three o'clock."

British informal To lose your temper or start causing trouble, or of a situation, to erupt into a row or fight.

"He kicked off when they refused him entry."

"It properly kicked off outside the pub."

How to use kick off

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo get something started.

When to use it

The 'start' and sporting senses are neutral; the 'lose your temper' sense is British slang.

Memory tip

The verb is separable with an object: kick off the campaign, or kick it off.

Easily confused with

kick off vs kick out kick off vs kick back

Common pairings

kick off the meeting kick-off time kicks off on Monday it all kicked off

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

We'll _____ the session with introductions.

Synonyms

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start begin launch open get under way lose it go off flare up

Antonyms

wind up conclude wrap up

Related words

end public start open close complete beginning starting

Frequently asked questions

Is it kick off or kick-off?

Hyphenate or close it up when it is a noun or an adjective: the kick-off, a kickoff meeting. Leave it as two words when it is a verb: we kick off at noon. American writing tends to prefer kickoff with no hyphen.

What is a kick-off meeting?

It is the first meeting of a project, held to agree the goals, scope, roles and timeline before work starts. The name borrows the football image of the moment play begins.

What does it mean when someone says 'it kicked off'?

In British English that usually means a fight or a serious argument broke out. Context tells you whether the speaker means trouble started or an event simply began.

What is the meaning of kick off?

"kick off" (verb) means to begin something, especially an event, campaign or meeting.

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