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kick off — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings
  1. 1 to begin an event or activityto start something, especially an event, meeting, or activity.
  2. 2 start a conflictto suddenly begin an argument, fight, or trouble, often in a lively or disruptive way.

All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

1

to begin an event or activity

B1kick off sthspokenMost common

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

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.

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

Common mistake

✗Let's kick off with the meeting.

✓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.

Tell it apart

The festival kicks off on Friday.

begins

A fight kicked off outside.

suddenly broke out
You can use 'kick off' to talk about starting meetings, projects, celebrations, or even a day.'Kick off' is less formal than 'commence' or 'begin'.

Often paired with

kick off
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2

start a conflict

C1kick off sthspokeninformal

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

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.

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

Common mistake

✗They started to kick off the argument.

✓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'.

Tell it apart

It kicked off after the match.

a fight broke out

The match kicks off at three.

begins
'Kick off' in this sense is informal and usually describes the sudden start of trouble, an argument, or a fight, especially in spoken English. Avoid using it in formal writing.Unlike the B1 sense ('to begin an event or activity'), this sense is figurative and refers specifically to the start of conflict or trouble, not just any event.

Often paired with

kick off
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to begin an event or activitystart a conflict