kick back

Idioms  

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]

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Example Sentences

I kicked back to the surface, lungs bursting.

From Literature

Ray is out now on his patio, kicked back on a chair, his big legs sprawled onto the ottoman.

From Literature

Finally, just some light family drama that everyone can kick back and enjoy.

From Los Angeles Times

But if you’ve come to Yellowstone in the depths of winter, you may not be the type to be content with kicking back once the sun sets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Akira kicked back up and burst from the frigid water, gasping and coughing.

From Literature

Related Words

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