kick off
Britishverb
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to start play in a game of football by kicking the ball from the centre of the field
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informal to commence a discussion, job, etc
noun
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a place kick from the centre of the field in a game of football
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the time at which the first such kick is due to take place
kickoff is at 2.30 p.m
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informal
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the beginning of something
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to begin with
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Start, begin, as in They kicked off the celebration with a parade . This term alludes to starting play by kicking the ball in soccer, football, and similar sports. [Mid-1800s]
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See kick in , def. 2.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Microglia are immune cells that, when they respond to plaques, kick off this elaborate cascade of inflammation, as if the microglia are partying all night, and keeping the brain awake."
From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026
The 19-show trek will kick off July 24 in Palm Springs, followed by a concert at The Novo in Los Angeles the next day.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
Wednesday will kick off the earnings season for technology companies, with Magnificent Seven constituents Alphabet and Tesla set to report quarterly results after the closing bell.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 19, 2026
Meanwhile, Heart of Midlothian kick off their Champions League qualifying campaign against Austrian side Sturm Graz next week and Hibernian face a Europa Conference League qualifier on 30 July.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
There’s no big ceremony or encouraging speeches to kick off the finale for the Junior Agent trainees.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
