kick back
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle back
Meanings
Strike back in retaliation
Why “back”? The action returns to the person who did it first.
“The drug industry kicked back at the regulations.”
“The union kicked back at the pay cut.”
Don't confuse with
Kick back means strike back in retaliation. Kick off means begin an event or activity.
Test yourself
“The drug industry kicked back at the regulations.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
kick off
A contrast learners often mix up
Begin an event or activity
answer back
Same back pattern: returning action
Reply in a defiant manner
call back
Same back pattern: returning action
Return a phone call; Try the phone call again; Recall a product because of a fault
fight back
Same back pattern: returning action
Defend yourself against an attack; Try to suppress a feeling like tears or anger
get back
Same back pattern: returning action
Return to a place; Take revenge on someone; Arrive home or return; Reply to someone, often with information they asked for; Take revenge on someone
give back
Same back pattern: returning action
Return something to its owner; Make a contribution in return to a community or cause
hit back
Same back pattern: returning action
Retaliate
nod back
Same back pattern: returning action
Nod in response to a nod from someone else
Practice “kick back” in Sink In
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