kick back

present singular third person kicks back · participle present kicking back · participle past kicked back · past kicked back

1. idiomaticinformalintransitiveTo relax; to laze.

   I'm going to stay at home on Saturday and just kick back.

   1 more example

   Ooh, bet you're thinking, "She's so cool" Kicking back on your couch, making eyes from across the room Wait, I think I've been there too

   2024, Gracie Abrams, Audrey Hobert, “That's So True”, in The Secret of Us, performed by Gracie Abrams

   Synonyms: take it easy, lie back, kick it, kick up one's heels

2. idiomaticinformalintransitivetransitiveTo pay part of the proceeds of a transaction to a person or organization that mediated it, often in a way that is covert, improper, and illegal.

   It was the company’s practice to kick back to the negotiator at the client company.

   2 more examples

   It was the local government’s practice to kick back to the police officer a portion of the fines collected from traffic tickets.

   It was the insurer’s practice to kick back to the broker approximately 0.12% of the premium paid by the policyholder.

3. idiomaticinformalTo return (something) to its original or rightful owner.

   They'll kick it back to you if it turns up.

4. idiomaticinformalTo drink (something).

   We'll kick back some beers.

5. To move suddenly and forcefully in reaction to the main action (for example, when a firearm jerks backward when a bullet is fired, or when a table saw thrusts the workpiece in an unexpected direction).

   You better watch yourself around that saw. That thing kicks back real hard occasionally, with no warning.

   1 more example

   My revolver can handle .357 Magnum cartridges, but I use .38 Special, because I don't need it kicking back harder than a mule.

   Synonyms: recoil

plural kick backs

1. countablenonstandarduncountableNonstandard spelling of kickback.