kicking back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kicking back" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a state of relaxation or leisure, often after a period of work or stress. Example: "After a long week at work, I plan on kicking back and enjoying a quiet weekend at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

He is accused of kicking back proceeds from gas deals to Gazprom, Russia's state-backed oil company.

The Washington Post

Kicking back, relaxing, no weather in sight.

The New Yorker

"I'm kicking back in dungarees and a flannel shirt.

The New York Times - Travel

I can feel my liberal self kicking back in now.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Like they say, we're kicking back," said Roman Kersonov, 25, a fire alarm technician.

Independent

As Rigoletto despairs, we see the assassin, Sparafucile, kicking back in his apartment, having a beer.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Anderson then beats him with a kicking, back-of-a-length legcutter.

The Guardian - Sport

Then he kicks back".

The New York Times

So kick back, relax.

The Guardian - Film

We just kicked back".

The New York Times

"Kick back a bit".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kicking back" to convey a sense of casual relaxation, especially after a period of work or stress. It's ideal for informal contexts where you want to express taking a break and enjoying leisure time.

Common error

Avoid using "kicking back" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "relaxing" or "taking a break" to maintain a suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kicking back" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression, conveying a sense of relaxation and leisure. It's often used as a verb phrase, describing the act of relaxing after a period of activity or stress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable English expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

18%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kicking back" is a very common idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of relaxing and enjoying leisure time, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to express a state of relaxation, often after a period of work or stress. While grammatically correct and widely used in informal contexts, it's generally unsuitable for formal or professional writing. More formal alternatives like "relaxing" or "taking a break" are recommended for such settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, indicating its prevalence in everyday language and casual discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relaxing

Focuses on the act of reducing stress and tension, differing from "kicking back" which implies more active leisure.

taking it easy

Emphasizes a gentle and unhurried approach to activities, unlike "kicking back" which can imply a more abrupt shift to leisure.

unwinding

Highlights the process of relieving stress or mental tension, suggesting a gradual return to a relaxed state.

chilling out

An informal term for relaxing and enjoying oneself, similar to "kicking back" but often implies a more passive form of leisure.

lounging

Suggests resting or relaxing in a comfortable position, often associated with leisure and a lack of activity.

taking a break

Focuses on a temporary cessation of work or activity, while "kicking back" describes a more general state of relaxation.

taking time off

Specifically refers to scheduled absence from work, differing from the more spontaneous relaxation implied by "kicking back".

enjoying leisure time

A more formal way of expressing the idea of spending time in enjoyable and relaxing activities.

resting

Emphasizes physical or mental inactivity, differing from "kicking back" which can include light recreational activities.

taking a breather

Implies a short pause to rest or recover, suggesting a temporary break from activity.

FAQs

What does "kicking back" mean?

"Kicking back" generally means relaxing, taking it easy, or enjoying leisure time, often after a period of work or stress.

How can I use "kicking back" in a sentence?

You might say, "After a long week, I'm looking forward to "kicking back" with a good book" or "They spent the afternoon "kicking back" by the pool".

What are some alternatives to "kicking back"?

You can use alternatives like "relaxing", "taking it easy", or "chilling out" depending on the context.

Is "kicking back" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "kicking back" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "relaxing" or "taking a break".