kick it away

USAGE SUMMARY

'kick it away' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe the action of pushing something away, usually with your foot. For example, "He was so frustrated that he kicked the ball away in anger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

He tried to kick it away, but my love powder was too strong.

The New Yorker

If you try to kick it away you will only bruise your foot.

The Guardian - Opinion

They'll kick it away... Andy Lee punts it down to the one-yard line!

The Guardian - Sport

If you see that the referee's not on top of that area of the game you'd rather kick it away".

The New York Times - Sports

He'd just kick it away and say "Get that!" and I'd have to go and get it.

The Guardian - Sport

The Eagles kick it away and a fair catch later it's Dallas ball on their own 34.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Australia profited by keeping the ball in hand rather than kicking it away, which had been a major problem for much of its championship campaign.

The New York Times - Sports

Fabianski should have kicked it away, but picked it up.

The New York Times

And for two years, they kicked it away".

Independent

Eventually he wakes up and kicks it away.

The Guardian - Sport

I kicked it away – I wasn't going anywhere.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical action, ensure the context clarifies what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "He kicked it away", specify "He kicked the ball away".

Common error

Avoid using "kick it away" in formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language is expected. Opt for more descriptive verbs like "deflect", "repel", or "dismiss" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kick it away" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of propelling something away with one's foot. Ludwig examples show its use in both literal and figurative contexts, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kick it away" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe the action of using one's foot to propel something away, or metaphorically, to dismiss something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though leaning towards informal situations. Analysis of Ludwig's examples indicates its frequent appearance in News & Media, Wiki, and Sports-related content. While the phrase is considered acceptable in general conversation, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fend it off

Implies deflecting or warding something off, often with a degree of force.

deflect it

Highlights the action of turning something away from a specific path or direction, often used in a metaphorical sense.

bat it away

Suggests a quick, often reflexive, movement to push something aside, typically with the hand.

repel it

Emphasizes a strong force pushing something back, often used in the context of defense or resistance.

shoo it off

Emphasizes a gentle or dismissive gesture to make something go away, often used with animals or minor annoyances.

drive it back

Suggests a determined effort to push something away from a specific area or position.

brush it aside

Indicates dismissing something as unimportant or irrelevant, either physically or metaphorically.

wave it away

Suggests a casual dismissal, often with a hand gesture indicating disinterest.

disregard it

Implies ignoring or paying no attention to something, treating it as if it doesn't matter.

reject it

Indicates a firm refusal to accept or consider something, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "kick it away" to describe physically moving something with your foot, or metaphorically dismissing something. For example: "He "kicked the ball away"" or "She "kicked the suggestion away".

What are some alternatives to "kick it away"?

Depending on the context, you could use "fend it off", "shoo it off", or "brush it aside" as alternatives.

Is "kick it away" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kick it away" leans towards informal usage. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "deflect it" or "reject it".

What's the difference between "kick it away" and "throw away"?

"Kick it away" implies using your foot to move something, while "throw away" suggests discarding something, usually by hand. They describe different physical actions with potentially different connotations.