drop kick

¹ American  

noun

Football.

1. a kick made by dropping a football to the ground and kicking it as it starts to bounce up.

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drop-kick ² American  

[drop-kik] / ˈdrɒpˈkɪk /

verb (used with object)

1. to score (a field goal or point after touchdown) by a drop kick.

2. to kick (the ball as dropped for a drop kick).

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verb (used without object)

1. to make a drop kick.

drop kick British  

noun

1. a kick in certain sports such as rugby, in which the ball is dropped and kicked as it bounces from the ground Compare punt 2 place kick

2. a wrestling attack, illegal in amateur wrestling, in which a wrestler leaps in the air and kicks his opponent in the face or body with both feet

3. slang a stupid or worthless person

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verb

1. to kick (a ball, etc) using a drop kick

2. to kick (an opponent in wrestling) by the use of a drop kick

Other Word Forms

• drop-kicker noun

Etymology

Origin of drop kick¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Origin of drop-kick²

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

After that early adversity of going down to 14 men, he was thrown the ball in a way that was slightly disjointed and he turned it into a drop kick.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2023

“You basically have to imagine that at any point, someone is going to drop kick the box over a fence,” Horst said.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 25, 2022

The first came when Yim was holding a ladder to her face when Shirai launched a drop kick in her direction.

From Fox News • Nov. 15, 2019

The Seahawks tried it with a drop kick and it wasn’t even close, as punter Michael Dickson looked like he hit a 6-iron when he needed a 9-iron.

From Washington Post • Jan. 7, 2019

A forward pass, Dean to Durant, gained five yards, but the next play met with a stiff defense and Neil Durant determined that the time had come to attempt a drop kick.

From The Mark of the Knife by Ernst, Clayton H.