about to kick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to kick" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is on the verge of happening, often in a dramatic or intense context. Example: "The storm is about to kick, so we should take cover immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A biggish crowd gathered, as if a scrap was about to kick off.

The Guardian - Books

Your last step will be with your non-kicking, or "plant" foot, just beside the ball you're about to kick.

WikiHow

Michigan about to kick off.

The New York Times

OK we're about to kick off.

The Guardian - Sport

It's all about to kick off!

The Guardian

Eastern Michigan is about to kick off against Michigan State.

The New York Times

Ball State is about to kick off against South Florida.

The New York Times

Stricter fuel-economy standards are also about to kick in.

The New York Times

"He looks like he's about to kick somebody's rear end".

The New York Times - Sports

Malcolm Gladwell is about to kick off a 10-week stint as a podcast host.

The Guardian

It's 2003 and, as her editor puts it, "Iraq 2" is about to kick off.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to kick" to create a sense of anticipation or urgency. It's effective in both formal and informal contexts to signal an impending event or action.

Common error

While "about to kick" is acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "on the verge of" or "approaching" in academic or business writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to kick" functions as a verbal idiom indicating an imminent action or event. Examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, from sports games to new regulations taking effect. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about to kick" is a correct and common idiomatic expression used to indicate that something is imminent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and example sentences highlight its frequent appearance in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. Semantically related phrases include "on the verge of starting" and "ready to begin". When using "about to kick", aim to create a sense of anticipation or urgency, recognizing it as a useful idiom for signaling impending events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just about to start

Adds "just" for emphasis, replacing "kick" with the more general "start".

on the verge of starting

Replaces the idiomatic "kick" with a more literal "starting", maintaining the sense of immediacy.

ready to begin

Emphasizes preparedness and commencement, swapping "kick" for "begin".

on the brink of happening

Focuses on the nearness of an event, using "brink" to convey imminence.

on the point of commencing

A more formal alternative, replacing "kick" with "commencing" and using "point of" for emphasis.

in the offing

An idiomatic alternative, meaning likely to happen soon, replacing "kick" with a different metaphor.

at the start of

Indicates the beginning of something, losing some of the immediacy of the original phrase.

drawing near

Emphasizes the decreasing distance to an event, losing the active sense of "kick".

approaching rapidly

Highlights the speed at which something is nearing, removing the idiomatic element.

coming up soon

Suggests an event is nearing, but with less emphasis on the exact moment of commencement.

FAQs

How can I use "about to kick" in a sentence?

You can use "about to kick" to describe something that is just about to start or happen, such as "The concert is "just about to start"" or "The new regulations are "going to start affecting" the industry".

What's a more formal way to say "about to kick"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "on the verge of", "approaching", or "imminent".

Is "about to kick off" the same as "about to kick"?

"About to kick off" usually refers to the start of an event, especially in sports or organized activities. While similar, "about to kick" can be used in a broader context to indicate the start of anything, not just events.

What are some common situations where I might use "about to kick"?

You might use "about to kick" when describing a game that's about to begin, a new law that's about to take effect, or any situation where something is on the immediate horizon. For example, "The meeting is "close to beginning"", or "The changes are "near to affecting" the market."