kick in
Britishverb
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(intr) to start or become activated
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informal (tr) to contribute
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Contribute one's share, as in We'll kick in half if you take care of the rest . [ Colloquial ; c. 1900]
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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 .
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Begin to operate, as in Finally the motor kicked in and we could get started . This usage was first recorded in 1908.
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.
For individuals, that top tax bracket will kick in above $661,375.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
What’s changing are the income ranges for when those rates kick in.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2026
The ETF does benefit from breakpoints, but they kick in at such high asset levels that its fees have barely budged.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Harrison Mevis failed to convert two field-goal attempts, including a winning kick in overtime that was blocked by Buffalo linebacker Greg Rousseau.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
The axe kick in Best of the Best.
From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
