1 B1 neutral
To break something open or knock it down by kicking it with force.
"The firefighters had to kick down the door to reach the people trapped inside."
separable
kick down
B1 neutral separable transitive
To destroy or break something open by kicking it; also used figuratively to mean to remove obstacles aggressively.
In plain English
To use your foot to break something down, like a door.
What does "kick down" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
In a vehicle, to press the accelerator fully to engage a lower gear for rapid acceleration.
"He kicked down as he joined the motorway and the car surged forward."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
Figuratively, to remove obstacles or barriers aggressively.
"She was determined to kick down every barrier that stood between her and her goal."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To kick something until it falls down.
Actually means
To use your foot to break something down, like a door.
Usage tip
Most commonly used in the context of kicking a door down. The figurative use ('kick down barriers') is common in motivational and social justice contexts. In automotive contexts, 'kick down' also means to rapidly change to a lower gear by pressing the accelerator to the floor.
Words that pair with "kick down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
door barrier wall obstacle gear fence
How to conjugate "kick down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
kick down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
kicks down
he/she/it
Past simple
kicked down
yesterday
Past participle
kicked down
have + pp
-ing form
kicking down
continuous
Hear "kick down" in the wild
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Other ways to say "kick down"
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