Meaning trap
kick off
to begin an event or activity
to start something, especially an event, meeting, or activity.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to start something, especially an event, meeting, or activity.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The conference will kick off at 9 a.m. with a welcome speech.
To kick off my presentation, I’d like to share a personal story that relates to the topic.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
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.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Kick off' is the lively, natural verb for starting an event. 'Formally commence' is stiff.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
kick off
- the season
- the campaign
- proceedings
- with a song