kicking the tires

A form of kick the tires — To inspect something to ensure it meets expected standards or has favored characteristics, typically before committing to purchasing or otherwise selecting it.

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Meanings

verb
  1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of kick the tires
Cite this entry
APA

kicking the tires. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kicking%20the%20tires

MLA

“kicking the tires.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kicking%20the%20tires. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “kicking the tires,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kicking%20the%20tires.

Source: kicking the tires on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.