Meaning trap

kick off

start a conflict

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

phrasal verbC1occasional

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

start a conflict

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

kick off (to begin an event or activity)

'kick off' also has the more basic meaning 'to begin an event or activity'; this is the advanced sense.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

Things really kicked off when the two teams started arguing with the referee.conflict
If the government fails to address the issue, protests could easily kick off across the country, leading to widespread unrest.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: kick off (between/with/when + subject)

WrongThey started to kick off the argument.

RightThey 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'.

Patternkick off (between/with/when + subject)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff A violent altercation suddenly erupted outside the pub.

Natural It all kicked off outside the pub.

'Kick off' (BrE slang) vividly means a fight or trouble suddenly broke out. The formal version is a news report.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

kick off
it all kicked offat each otheroutsidebig time

Don't confuse it

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.

kick off (to begin an event or activity) — 'kick off' also has the more basic meaning 'to begin an event or activity'; this is the advanced sense.

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