kick in

verb

1. (intr) to start or become activated

2. informal,  (tr) to contribute

Idioms and Phrases

Contribute one's share, as in We'll kick in half if you take care of the rest . [ Colloquial ; c. 1900]

Also, kick off . Die, as in No one knows when he'll kick in , or He finally kicked off yesterday . [ Slang ; first half of 1900s] Also see kick the bucket .

Begin to operate, as in Finally the motor kicked in and we could get started . This usage was first recorded in 1908.

Related Words

• ante up 
• donate 
• pony up