kick off

To start an event or activity, or make it start.

• The show kicks off at eight.
• We kicked off the project with a team meeting.
• Who will kick off the discussion?

How to use it: kick off with something (The festival kicks off with a parade.); kick something off (A short welcome speech will kick the evening off.)

Similar words: start, begin, launch

Opposites: finish, end

Common phrases: kick off something, kick off with something

To begin a game, or part of a game, by kicking the ball.

• Which team will kick off?
• The visitors kicked off after the break.
• The referee blew his whistle, and we kicked off.

How to use it: kick off against someone (Our team kicks off against City at three.)

Common phrases: kick off first, kick off again

The beginning of an event or activity, or the act of starting it.

• The kick-off is on Monday.
• We invited every department to the project kick-off.
• The concert marked the kick-off of our summer celebrations.

Similar words: start, launch, beginning

Opposites: end

Common phrases: project kick off, official kick off

The kick that starts a game or a new part of a game.

• We scored soon after kick-off.
• The referee delayed the kick-off because of heavy rain.
• Who takes the kick-off in the second half?

Similar words: opening kick

Common phrases: opening kick off, kick off time

To die, or to stop working forever.

• The old engine finally kicked off.
• He joked that he would kick off before his hundredth birthday.
• Our ancient washing machine kicked off yesterday.

Similar words: die, give out

Common phrases: kick off suddenly, kick off finally