kick back

1. Recoil unexpectedly and violently, as in This rifle kicks back a lot when you fire it . [Early 1800s]

2. Return stolen property to the owner, as in The pawnbroker kicked back the paintings to the gallery . [ Colloquial ; first half of 1900s]

3. Pay back a part of one's earnings, as in The workers were forced to kick back half their pay to the agent . [ Colloquial ; first half of 1900s]

Example Sentences

He imagines kicking back on an island somewhere, but first, he’d need to leave Delaware County.

From Salon

It then kicked back up in 2018, when the Marine Mammal Center responded to more than 300 cases of sickened sea lions.

From Los Angeles Times

As things stand, April 2 is the planned date for the 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports to kick back in.

From Los Angeles Times

If smoking on street corners isn’t cutting it anymore, or you just want to kick back and relax, check out The Gas Station — Ohio’s first consumption lounge.

From Salon

It's got that sort of like, “Relax, kick back, and just keep it on in the background” appeal.

From Salon

Related Words

• lie down 
• recline 
• sit back 
• take it easy 
• unwind