kicks in

USAGE SUMMARY

"kicks in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to mean that something has started to take effect or has become active. For example, "Once the morning caffeine kicks in, I'm ready to tackle the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's where confidence kicks in!

WikiHow

Status meltdown kicks in.

The New York Times

Planning anxiety kicks in.

The New York Times

Therefore, Powerdown kicks in.

Cornell University

Air-conditioning kicks in.

The Washington Post

Then something kicks in.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The adrenaline kicks in.

The Guardian

Covetousness kicks in.

The Guardian

Gender kicks in early.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then life kicks in.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then claustrophobia kicks in.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kicks in" when describing the moment an effect, feeling, or process becomes noticeable or active. For instance, "The medication kicks in after about 30 minutes."

Common error

Avoid using "kicks in" in very formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "takes effect" or "becomes operative" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kicks in" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action, effect, or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common expression used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kicks in" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the moment something begins to take effect. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. While its register leans towards neutral to informal, more formal alternatives exist for academic or professional contexts. Related phrases include "takes effect" and "becomes operative". When writing, use "kicks in" to add immediacy when describing when an effect or feeling starts, but be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your piece.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

takes effect

Focuses on the activation or coming into force of something, often a rule or law.

becomes operative

Highlights the functionality aspect, suggesting something is now working or in operation.

starts working

Emphasizes the beginning of a process or function.

begins to function

Similar to "starts working", but can be used more formally.

comes into play

Indicates that something is now having an influence or effect.

is activated

Focuses on the action of something being turned on or made active.

becomes effective

Highlights the start of effectiveness of a plan, policy or agreement.

is triggered

Emphasizes a specific cause-and-effect relationship, often sudden.

commences

A more formal synonym for 'begins'.

is initiated

Highlights the starting of a process.

FAQs

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

You can use "kicks in" to describe when something starts to take effect or become active. For example, "The pain medication "takes effect" after about 20 minutes", or "That's where confidence "comes into play"!".

What are some alternatives to "kicks in"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""takes effect"", "becomes operative", or "starts working".

Is "kicks in" appropriate for formal writing?

While "kicks in" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "becomes effective" or "commences".

What does "kicks in" mean?

"Kicks in" means to begin to take effect or become active. It's often used to describe the start of a process, the manifestation of a feeling, or the activation of a mechanism.