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kick upstairs

 - 7 dictionary results

kick

  [kik]
Use kick upstairs in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to strike with the foot or feet: to kick the ball; to kick someone in the shins.
2. to drive, force, make, etc., by or as if by kicks.
3. Football. to score (a field goal or a conversion) by place-kicking or drop-kicking the ball.
4. Informal. to make (a car) increase in speed, esp. in auto racing: He kicked his car into high gear.
5. to strike in recoiling: The gun kicked his shoulder.
6. Slang. to give up or break (a drug addiction): Has he kicked the habit?
7. Poker. raise (def. 24).
8. Chiefly South Atlantic States. to reject as a suitor; jilt: He courted her for two years—then she kicked him.
–verb (used without object)
9. to make a rapid, forceful thrust with the foot or feet: He kicked at the ball. You have to kick rapidly when using a crawl stroke.
10. to have a tendency to strike with the foot or feet: That horse kicks when you walk into his stall.
11. Informal. to resist, object, or complain: What's he got to kick about?
12. to recoil, as a firearm when fired.
13. to be actively or vigorously involved: He's still alive and kicking.
14. kick upstairs. upstairs (def. 8).
–noun
15. the act of kicking; a blow or thrust with the foot or feet.
16. power or disposition to kick: That horse has a mean kick.
17. Informal. an objection or complaint.
18. Informal.
a. thrill; pleasurable excitement: His biggest kick comes from telling about the victory.
b. a strong but temporary interest, often an activity: Making mobiles is his latest kick.
19. Informal.
a. a stimulating or intoxicating quality in alcoholic drink.
b. vim, vigor, or energy.
20. Football.
a. an instance of kicking the ball.
b. any method of kicking the ball: place kick.
c. a kicked ball.
d. the distance such a ball travels.
e. a turn at kicking the ball.
21. a recoil, as of a gun.
22. Slang. a pocket: He kept his wallet in his side kick.
23. kicks, Slang. shoes (def. 1).
24. Glassmaking.
a. a solid glass base or an indentation at the base of drinking glasses, bottles, etc., that reduces the liquid capacity of the glassware.
b. Also, punt. an indentation at the base of a wine bottle, originally for trapping the sediment.
—Verb phrases
25. kick about, to move from place to place frequently: He kicked about a good deal before settling down.
26. kick around, Informal.
a. to treat (someone) harshly or inconsiderately.
b. to consider, discuss, or speculate about (a proposal, project, etc.): We kicked around various ideas for raising money.
c. to experiment with.
d. to pass time idly; wander from place to place aimlessly: We just kicked around for a year after college.
e. to remain unused, unemployed, or unnoticed: The script has been kicking around for years.
27. kick back,
a. to recoil, esp. vigorously or unexpectedly.
b. Informal. to give someone a kickback.
c. Slang. to return (stolen property, money, etc.) to the owner.
d. to relax: Let's just kick back and enjoy the weekend.
28. kick in,
a. to contribute one's share, esp. in money.
b. Slang. to die.
c. to become operational; activate; go into effect: The air conditioning kicks in when the temperature reaches 80°F.
29. kick off,
a. Football. to begin play or begin play again by a kickoff: The Giants won the toss and elected to kick off.
b. Slang. to die.
c. to initiate (an undertaking, meeting, etc.); begin: A rally tomorrow night will kick off the campaign.
30. kick on, to switch on; turn on: He kicked on the motor and we began to move.
31. kick out, Informal.
a. to oust or eject: They have been kicked out of the country club.
b. to fail; give out: The power kicked out and the room went black.
c. to separate off, as for review or inspection: The computer kicked out the information in a split second.
d. Surfing. to turn a surfboard by shifting the weight to the rear, causing the surfboard to come down over the top of a wave, in order to stop a ride.
32. kick over, Informal. (of an internal-combustion engine) to begin ignition; turn over: The engine kicked over a few times but we couldn't get it started.
33. kick up,
a. to drive or force upward by kicking.
b. to stir up (trouble); make or cause (a disturbance, scene, etc.): They kicked up a tremendous row.
c. (esp. of a machine part) to move rapidly upward: The lever kicks up, engaging the gear.
—Idioms
34. kick ass, Slang: Vulgar.
a. to act harshly or use force in order to gain a desired result.
b. to defeat soundly.
35. kick in the ass, Slang: Vulgar. kick (def. 39a).
36. kick in the pants, Informal.
a. someone or something that is very exciting, enjoyable, amusing, etc.: I think you'll like her, she's a real kick in the pants.
b. kick (def. 40).
37. kick in the teeth, an abrupt, often humiliating setback; rebuff: Her refusal even to talk to me was a kick in the teeth.
38. kick over the traces. trace 2 (def. 3).
39. kick the bucket, Slang. bucket (def. 15).
40. kick the tin, Australian. to give a donation; contribute.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME kiken (v.); orig. uncert.

Related forms:
kick⋅a⋅ble, adjective
kickless, adjective

Synonyms:
1. boot. 11. remonstrate; oppose. 11, 17. grumble, growl, grouch, moan; protest.

up⋅stairs

  [uhp-stairz] adverb, adjective, noun, plural -stairs.
–adverb
1. up the stairs; to or on an upper floor.
2. Informal. in the mind: to be a little weak upstairs.
3. to or at a higher level of authority: You may have to take the matter upstairs.
4. Military Slang. at or to a higher level in the air.
–adjective
5. Also, upstair. of, pertaining to, or situated on an upper floor: an upstairs window; an upstairs apartment.
–noun
6. (usually used with a singular verb) an upper story or stories; the part of a building or house that is above the ground floor: The upstairs of this house is entirely rented.
7. a higher command or level of authority: We can't take action till we have approval from upstairs.
—Idiom
8. kick upstairs, to promote (a person) to a higher position, usually having less authority, in order to be rid of him or her.
Origin:
1590–1600; up- + stairs
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To kick upstairs
kick   (kĭk)   
v.   kicked, kick·ing, kicks

v.   intr.

  1. To strike out with the foot or feet.

  2. Sports

    1. To score or gain ground by kicking a ball.

    2. To punt in football.

    3. To propel the body in swimming by moving the legs, as with a flutter kick or frog kick.

    4. To express negative feelings vigorously; complain.

    5. To oppose by argument; protest.

  3. To recoil: The powerful rifle kicked upon being fired.

  4. Informal

    1. To express negative feelings vigorously; complain.

    2. To oppose by argument; protest.

v.   tr.

  1. To strike with the foot.

  2. To propel by striking with the foot.

  3. To spring back against suddenly: The rifle kicked my shoulder when I fired it.

  4. Sports To score (a goal or point) by kicking a ball.

n.  

    1. A vigorous blow with the foot.

    2. Sports The motion of the legs that propels the body in swimming.

    3. A feeling of pleasurable stimulation: got a kick out of the show.

    4. kicks Fun: went bowling just for kicks.

    5. The act or an instance of kicking a ball.

    6. A kicked ball.

    7. The distance spanned by a kicked ball.

  2. A jolting recoil: a rifle with a heavy kick.

  3. Slang A complaint; a protest.

  4. Slang Power; force: a car engine with a lot of kick.

  5. Slang

    1. A feeling of pleasurable stimulation: got a kick out of the show.

    2. kicks Fun: went bowling just for kicks.

    3. The act or an instance of kicking a ball.

    4. A kicked ball.

    5. The distance spanned by a kicked ball.

  6. Slang Temporary, often obsessive interest: I'm on a science fiction kick.

  7. Slang A sudden, striking surprise; a twist.

  8. Sports

    1. The act or an instance of kicking a ball.

    2. A kicked ball.

    3. The distance spanned by a kicked ball.

  9. To treat badly; abuse.

  10. To move from place to place: "spent the next three years in Italy, kicking around the country on a motor scooter" (Charles E. Claffey).

  11. To give thought or consideration to; ponder or discuss.

  12. To recoil unexpectedly and violently.

  13. Informal To take it easy; relax: kicked back at home and watched TV.

  14. Slang To return (stolen items).

  15. Slang To pay a kickback.

  16. Informal To contribute (one's share): kicked in a few dollars for the office party.

  17. Informal To become operative or take effect: "His pituitary kicked in, and his growth was suddenly vertical" (Kenneth Browser).

  18. Slang To die.

  19. Sports To begin or resume play with a kickoff.

  20. Informal To begin; start: kicked off the promotional tour with a press conference.

  21. Slang To die.

  22. To increase in amount or force; intensify: A sandstorm kicked up while we drove through the desert.

  23. To stir up (trouble): kicked up a row.

  24. To show signs of disorder: His ulcer has kicked up again.

Phrasal Verb(s):
kick aboutTo move from place to place.
kick around Informal

  1. To treat badly; abuse.

  2. To move from place to place: "spent the next three years in Italy, kicking around the country on a motor scooter" (Charles E. Claffey).

  3. To give thought or consideration to; ponder or discuss.

kick back

  1. To recoil unexpectedly and violently.

  2. Informal To take it easy; relax: kicked back at home and watched TV.

  3. Slang To return (stolen items).

  4. Slang To pay a kickback.

kick in

  1. Informal To contribute (one's share): kicked in a few dollars for the office party.

  2. Informal To become operative or take effect: "His pituitary kicked in, and his growth was suddenly vertical" (Kenneth Browser).

  3. Slang To die.

kick off

  1. Sports To begin or resume play with a kickoff.

  2. Informal To begin; start: kicked off the promotional tour with a press conference.

  3. Slang To die.

kick out Slang To throw out; dismiss.
kick overTo begin to fire: The engine finally kicked over.
kick up Informal

  1. To increase in amount or force; intensify: A sandstorm kicked up while we drove through the desert.

  2. To stir up (trouble): kicked up a row.

  3. To show signs of disorder: His ulcer has kicked up again.


Idiom(s):
kick ass/butt Vulgar Slang To take forceful or harsh measures to achieve an objective.

Idiom(s):
kick the bucket Slang To die.

Idiom(s):
kick the habit Slang To free oneself of an addiction, as to narcotics or cigarettes.

Idiom(s):
kick up (one's) heels Informal To cast off one's inhibitions and have a good time.

Idiom(s):
kick upstairs Slang To promote to a higher yet less desirable position.

[Middle English kiken, perhaps of Scandinavian origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary
kick (off)

  1. in.
    to die. : We've been waiting for years for that cat to kick off.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

kick  (v.)
c.1380, "to strike out with the foot" (earliest in biblical phrase now usually rendered as kick against the pricks), of uncertain origin, perhaps from O.N. kikna "bend backwards, sink at the knees." Fig. sense of "complain, protest, rebel against" (1388) probably is from the Bible verse. Slang sense of "die" is attested from 1725 (kick the wind was slang for "be hanged," 1598; see also bucket). Meaning "to end one's drug habit" is from 1936. To kick oneself in self-reproach is from 1891. The noun is first recorded 1530. Meaning "recoil (of a gun) when fired" is from 1826. Meaning "surge or fit of pleasure" (often as kicks) is from 1941; originally lit., "stimulation from liquor or drugs" (1844). The kick "the fashion" is c.1700. Kick-off is from 1857 as the first kick in a football match; fig. sense of "start, beginning event" is from 1875. Kickback "illegal or improper payment" is from 1934. Kickboxing first recorded 1971.

upstairs 
1596 (adj.), from up + stairs (see stair). The noun is first attested 1872. Meaning "characteristic of upstairs life" (in private rooms of a household, as opposed to servants' quarters) is recorded from 1942.
"He [Halifax] had said he had known many kicked down stairs, but he never knew any kicked up stairs before." [Gilbert Burnet, supplement to "History of My own Time," from his original memoirs, c.1697]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

kick upstairs

Promote someone to a higher but less desirable position, especially one with less authority. For example, Paul never forgave the company for kicking him upstairs at age 55. This expression alludes to its antonym, kick downstairs, simply meaning "eject." [Mid-1900s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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