Meaning & use
kick up
Last updated
Meanings
phrasetransitiveinformal
To cause trouble, noise, or a strong reaction, often by complaining or protesting.
Grammar: Takes an object, often 'a fuss', 'a row', 'a storm', or 'a noise'.
Patterns
- kick up a fuss
- kick up a row
- kick up a storm
- kick up a noise
The customers kicked up a fuss about the poor service.
Don't kick up a row over such a small mistake.
The children kicked up a terrible noise while playing.
phrasetransitive or intransitive
To lift the leg high, especially in dancing or sports.
Grammar: Can be used with or without an object: 'kick up your heels' or 'kick up high'.
Patterns
- kick up one's heels
- kick up high
The dancers kicked up their heels in celebration.
He kicked up high to clear the ball.
Word forms
| third person singular | kicks up |
|---|---|
| past tense | kicked up |
| past participle | kicked up |
| -ing form | kicking up |
Common combinations
- kick up a fuss
- She kicked up a fuss when her order was late.
- kick up a row
- He kicked up a row about the bill.
- kick up a storm
- The proposal kicked up a storm of protest.
- kick up one's heels
- After the exams, they kicked up their heels at the party.
Synonyms and how they differ
- complain
- More general and neutral; 'kick up a fuss' suggests a louder, more public complaint.
- protest
- Often more formal and organized; 'kick up a fuss' is informal and can be about small matters.
Opposites
Commonly confused: kick up or kick off?
kick up vs kick off
Means to begin something, especially a game or event, not to cause trouble.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'kick up' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct pattern is 'kick up a fuss about something'. The other options either scramble the words or use the wrong word order.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “kick up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.