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kick off — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings
kick off
1to begin an event or activity2start a conflict

Meaning 1 · most common

to begin an event or activity

  • kick off sth

to start something, especially an event, meeting, or activity.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

The conference will kick off at 9 a.m. with a welcome speech.

A: When does the concert kick off?
B: It starts at seven, so we should get there early.

Common mistake

Not: Let's kick off with the meeting.

Say: Let's kick off the meeting. / Let's kick off with introductions.

'Kick off + event' (start it), OR 'kick off WITH + the first item'. Don't say 'kick off with the meeting' when you mean start it.

More on “to begin an event or activity”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

To kick off my presentation, I’d like to share a personal story that relates to the topic.

Tell it apart

The festival kicks off on Friday.

  • begins

A fight kicked off outside.

  • suddenly broke out

Goes with

  • kick off
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Next meaning: start a conflict

Meaning 2

start a conflict

  • kick off sth
  • informal

to suddenly begin an argument, fight, or trouble, often in a lively or disruptive way.

How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Things really kicked off when the two teams started arguing with the referee.

A: Why did everyone leave the party so early?
B: It all kicked off after someone insulted the host. It got pretty heated.

Common mistake

Not: They started to kick off the argument.

Say: They kicked off at each other. / It kicked off between them.

This sense is intransitive ('it kicked off') or 'kick off AT someone'. Don't use it transitively for 'start the argument'.

More on “start a conflict”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If the government fails to address the issue, protests could easily kick off across the country, leading to widespread unrest.

Tell it apart

It kicked off after the match.

  • a fight broke out

The match kicks off at three.

  • begins

Goes with

  • kick off
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to begin an event or activitystart a conflict