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kick against

B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To fight or complain about something, even if you probably can't change it.

Literal meaning: To kick your foot against a physical object.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To resist or show opposition to authority, rules, or an unwanted situation.

"As a teenager, she constantly kicked against the strict rules her parents had set."

""You will find it hard to kick against the pricks.""

— Acts 9:5, King James Bible
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To struggle against circumstances or fate, often hopelessly.

"There's no point in kicking against the decision — it's already been made at the top."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Often used when the resistance is emotional or instinctive rather than organised. Can imply the struggle is futile. Common in British English. Related to the biblical phrase 'kick against the pricks' (Acts 9:5), meaning to resist futilely.

Commonly used with

rules authority system constraints fate tradition

Forms

Base
kick against
I/you/we/they
3rd person
kicks against
he/she/it
Past simple
kicked against
yesterday
Past participle
kicked against
have + pp
-ing form
kicking against
continuous

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Synonyms

rebel against resist push back against fight against rail against struggle against

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