kicker

American  

[kik-er] / ˈkɪk ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that kicks.

2. Informal.

   1. a disadvantageous point or circumstance, usually concealed or unnoticed.

      The tickets are free, but the kicker is that you have to wait in line for hours to get them.

   2. a surprising change or turn of events.

      The kicker was that their friends knew it before they did.

3. something extra, as an additional cost or gain; an added expense or financial incentive.

4. Draw Poker. a card, usually an ace or face card, held with a pair or three of a kind in the hope of drawing a matching card.

5. (in concrete construction) a low plinth at the base of a column.

6. Slang. kickers, shoes, especially leisure shoes.

7. Nautical.

   1. a small, low-powered outboard motor.

   2. an auxiliary engine on a sailing vessel, river steamer, etc.

8. Slang. the alcoholic liquor in a mixed drink.

9. Also called eyebrow, highline, overline, teaser.  Printing, Journalism. a short line of copy set in a distinctive type above a headline and intended to call attention to it.

10. Metallurgy. a charge of high-carbon iron that produces a vigorous boil when charged into an open-hearth furnace containing slag and molten metal of lower carbon content.

11. Also called kicker light.  Photography. a light source coming from the back and side of a subject and producing a highlight.

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kicker British  

/ ˈkɪkə /

noun

1. a person or thing that kicks

2. sport a player in a rugby or occasionally a soccer team whose task is to attempt to kick conversions, penalty goals, etc

3. slang a hidden and disadvantageous factor, such as a clause in a contract

4. informal any light outboard motor for propelling a boat

5. poker the highest unpaired card in a hand, used to decide the outcome of an otherwise tied round

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Etymology

Origin of kicker

First recorded in 1565–75; kick + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Here’s the kicker: The FDA in October awarded Disc’s drug a Commissioner’s National Priority voucher, a program established by Dr. Makary with the goal of fast-tracking breakthrough treatments.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Trojans had a good kicker … but that’s about all the nice things you can say about the special teams.

From Los Angeles Times

"Ford is an exceptional tactical kicker but he has not been kicking in the last two games and they have struggled as a result of it."

From BBC

As a kicker, the first estimate of fourth quarter GDP was also light of expectations, with growth prospects trimmed by the government shutdown and persistent trade deficits.

From Barron's

However, no kicker has ever been named Super Bowl MVP.

From Los Angeles Times