Phrasal verb
kick off
Meanings
To start an event, activity, or process.
In sports, to begin a game by kicking the ball for the first play.
To remove something by kicking it, especially shoes or clothing.
Definition
To kick off means to start something, especially an event, activity, or process.
To kick off means to begin or launch an event, activity, or period of time. It is very common for meetings, festivals, projects, and sports games. In sports, it can also mean the moment a game starts when the ball is first kicked.
Examples
- I’ll kick off the meeting with a quick update.
- You can kick off the workshop by introducing yourself.
- She kicked off the festival with a short welcome speech.
- They kicked off the match at noon despite the rain.
- He kicked off his boots by the door and sat down.
Common mistake
Learners often use "kick off" for starting anything too formally; in very formal writing, "begin" or "commence" may sound more appropriate.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.