take a kick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a kick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is experiencing a negative consequence or reaction, often in a figurative sense. Example: "After making that risky investment, he had to take a kick when the market crashed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

He was asked to take a kick at goal from long range.

The Guardian - Sport

He shut down the question of which players, if any, had asked not to take a kick.

Independent

John Terry was not in the first five to take a kick but things change during a game.

The Guardian - Sport

"You do ask yourself 'how many times can I take a kick?' "It'd be easier", Jones says, "if I was unfit.

The Guardian - Sport

Penalties Henk ten Cate Chelsea assistant manager John Terry was not in the first five to take a kick but things change during a game.

The Guardian - Sport

The referee ruled that Gareth Raynor had been impeded when he rose to take a kick to the corner by Rob Burrow.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Holland meanwhile petulantly refused to take a kick-off after conceding a goal at those 1976 Euro finals, then lost to Scotland in the 1978 World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

We take a kicking for the things that government does that are unpopular.

The Guardian

I'd spread myself at the DMs of the older kids, take a kicking if necessary, fling myself at everything.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think the new book will take a kicking from the critics because of its form," he says, frowning.

The Guardian - Books

The debate came five months before congressional elections in which Republicans, down in the polls, are expected to take a kicking.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take a kick" in sports contexts, ensure the surrounding text clearly identifies the type of kick (e.g., penalty kick, free kick) and the intended target (e.g., at goal, to the corner).

Common error

Avoid using "take a kick" literally in contexts where a more appropriate metaphorical expression, like "suffer a setback" or "face a challenge", would better convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a kick" functions primarily as a verb phrase. Ludwig's examples show it describing the act of attempting or receiving a kicking action, either literally in sports or metaphorically in other contexts. It expresses an action being performed or endured.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

35%

General

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a kick" is a versatile expression used to describe both physical acts of kicking, predominantly in sports, and metaphorical experiences of setbacks or challenges. According to Ludwig, the expression is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media and sports contexts. While generally neutral in register, careful consideration should be given to using more formal alternatives like "suffer a setback" in academic or professional settings. Alternatives such as "attempt a kick" or "have a shot" can be considered for sports contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a shot

Focuses on the attempt or opportunity to perform a kicking action, often in sports.

attempt a kick

Emphasizes the effort or endeavor to execute a kick.

make a kick

Highlights the successful execution or completion of a kicking motion.

execute a kick

Implies a more formal or technical performance of a kick.

deliver a kick

Suggests force or impact in the action of kicking.

perform a kick

Similar to execute, but can be used in broader contexts beyond sports.

strike with a kick

Highlights the use of a kick as a means of striking or hitting.

suffer a blow

Shifts the focus to receiving a negative impact, metaphorically similar to being kicked.

endure a setback

Similar to suffer a blow, but specifically in the context of facing obstacles or failures.

face adversity

Broadens the scope to any challenging or unfavorable situation, akin to experiencing a metaphorical kick.

FAQs

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

The phrase "take a kick" can be used in sentences related to sports, such as "He was asked to "take a kick" at goal from long range" or in a more metaphorical sense, such as "The economy will "take a kick" because of Brexit".

What does "take a kick" mean in a metaphorical sense?

Metaphorically, "take a kick" can mean to experience a setback, suffer a blow, or encounter a negative consequence. It implies that someone or something is facing adversity or hardship.

What are some alternatives to "take a kick" in sports contexts?

In sports contexts, you can use alternatives like "have a shot", "attempt a kick", or "make a kick" depending on the specific action you want to describe.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "take a kick"?

It may be inappropriate to use "take a kick" in formal or academic writing when discussing non-physical concepts. In such cases, consider more refined alternatives like "experience a setback" or "suffer consequences".