to kick things off

USAGE SUMMARY

"to kick things off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would typically use it to start an event, process, or conversation. For example: "To kick things off, let's take a look at the agenda for today's meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

We're excited to kick things off tomorrow!

University of California, Berkeley

To kick things off, instructors gave brief presentations.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Amy, do you want to kick things off?

The New Yorker

To kick things off, D-Lab instructors will give brief overviews of their classes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He said: "Everyone is excited to kick things off again in 2014.

Independent

To kick things off, I played a few of my songs for them.

The New York Times

To kick things off, we even offered our own candidate: Twitsylvania.

The New York Times

This was a classy way to kick things off — elegiac, but rejoicing.

The New Yorker

To kick things off, a song that celebrates the wonder of music itself.

The Guardian - Music

To kick things off for 2010, Rosie Swash talked to Massive Attack's 3D.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Here are a few stories to kick things off.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to kick things off" to create an informal and engaging tone when starting presentations, meetings, or written pieces. It's a versatile phrase that works well in many contexts.

Common error

While "to kick things off" is generally acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "to begin with" or "initially" to maintain variety and a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to kick things off" is to serve as an introductory phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to signal the beginning of an event, discussion, or process. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in both academic and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to kick things off" is a commonly used idiomatic expression that functions as an introductory phrase, signaling the start of an event or discussion. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and well-suited for engaging audiences. Although versatile, it is more appropriate for neutral to informal contexts, with its frequent use in news media and academic settings. While "to kick things off" is widely accepted, writers should avoid overuse and consider more formal alternatives, such as "to begin with" or "initially", to maintain variety in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to begin with

A more straightforward and less idiomatic way to express starting a sequence.

to initiate the process

A direct and neutral way of indicating the start of a series of actions.

to start things rolling

Similar in meaning, but suggests a more dynamic or energetic initiation.

to launch the event

Suggests a formal introduction or beginning, often used with events or projects.

first of all

A common expression emphasizing the order or sequence of points.

to get the ball rolling

Implies initiating an activity or process that involves multiple participants.

to lead off

Implies taking the first position or action in a series.

as a starting point

Highlights the initial phase from which further developments will occur.

to commence proceedings

More formal and often used in official or legal contexts.

to set the stage

Focuses on preparing the environment or context for what follows.

FAQs

How can I use "to kick things off" in a sentence?

You can use "to kick things off" to introduce the beginning of an event, discussion, or activity. For example, "To kick things off, let's review the agenda for today's meeting."

What are some alternatives to "to kick things off"?

Alternatives include "to begin with", "first of all", or "to start with" depending on the context.

Is "to kick things off" formal or informal?

"To kick things off" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, it's best to use phrases like "to commence" or "to initiate".

What does "to kick things off" mean?

"To kick things off" is an idiomatic expression that means to start something, usually an event or a discussion, in an energetic or engaging way.