kick in

USAGE SUMMARY

"kick in" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means to begin working or to take effect. For example: "Once the new policy kicks in, all employees must adhere to the new guidelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All the side effects kick in".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's starting to kick in now.

The New York Times - Sports

"Vertigo can kick in," I'm told.

The Guardian - Travel

The plan would kick in after 2013.

Forbes

The tax would kick in in 2012.

Forbes

Hope those Advils kick in soon!

Huffington Post

6th hole- Belligerence may kick in here.

WikiHow

Food poisoning usually doesn't kick in immediately.

WikiHow

It didn't kick in.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hormones kick in.

The New York Times

Special effects kick in.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the effect of medication or a process, use "kick in" to indicate the onset of noticeable effects or operation. For example, "The pain medication should kick in within 30 minutes."

Common error

Avoid assuming "kick in" implies instantaneous action. It suggests a process beginning, not an immediate result. Instead of saying "The security measures kicked in instantly", consider "The security measures were activated instantly."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "kick in" primarily functions as an intransitive verb indicating the commencement of an action, effect, or contribution. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. For example, "The medication will kick in soon" suggests the drug's effects will begin.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

14%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "kick in" is a versatile and commonly used expression signifying the commencement of an action, effect, or contribution. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable, especially in news and media contexts. While generally neutral to informal, alternative expressions may be more suitable for formal or scientific writing. Usage patterns show frequent occurrence in news, media, and wiki sources, affirming its broad relevance in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take effect

Emphasizes the moment when something becomes operational or influential.

come into play

Highlights the initiation of an action or influence.

begin to function

Focuses on the commencement of operation or functionality.

start working

Directly conveys the idea of initiating work or functionality.

become operative

Implies a formal or official commencement.

pitch in

An informal term for contributing, often in a collaborative setting.

chip in

Similar to pitch in, but perhaps implying a smaller amount contributed.

start to contribute

Focuses on the action of contributing, particularly to a shared goal.

contribute financially

Specifically denotes monetary contribution.

ante up

An informal and sometimes forceful demand to contribute.

FAQs

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

You can use "kick in" to describe when something starts to take effect, such as "The medication should "begin to work" soon", or when people contribute to something, like "Everyone needs to "chip in" for the gift".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "kick in"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "take effect", "begin to function", or "contribute" instead of "kick in".

Is it appropriate to use "kick in" in formal writing?

While "kick in" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "become operative" or "commence".

Does "kick in" always refer to a positive outcome?

No, "kick in" doesn't always imply a positive result. It simply means that something is starting to take effect. For example, you might say "The side effects started to "become noticeable"", which isn't a positive thing.