What Does โKick against sthโ Mean?
โKick against sthโ means to resist or oppose something, often with frustration or anger. It is used when someone objects strongly to a rule, idea, or situation.
Introduction
The phrase โkick against sthโ is an idiomatic expression commonly used in English to describe a situation where someone resists or fights against something, often with a sense of frustration or helplessness. The โsthโ stands for โsomething,โ and this phrase can be applied to a variety of contexts, whether in everyday conversations or more formal discussions. Understanding the โkick against sthโ meaning helps learners grasp how to express disagreement or resistance in a natural way. It is not always about physical kicking but more about emotional or mental opposition. This phrase often appears in literature, speeches, and dialogues to highlight conflict or struggle.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: kick against sth (kick against something)
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To resist or oppose something strongly, often in vain
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โKick against sthโ is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning you cannot separate the verb and the preposition with the object. The structure is always:
- Subject + kick + against + something
Example pattern:
- He kicked against the new rules.
- They were kicking against the decision.
How to Use โKick against sthโ?
You use โkick against sthโ when someone is strongly opposing or resisting something, often in a way that is either futile or causes frustration. It can describe emotional resistance to ideas, rules, or situations. This phrase is typically used in formal or literary contexts but can also appear in everyday speech to emphasize strong disagreement or struggle.
Examples
Imagine a person unhappy with a law they must follow but feels powerless to change it. They might be described as โkicking against the law.โ
- She kicked against the unfair treatment at work but couldnโt change the system.
- The community is kicking against the new regulations that limit their activities.
- He always kicks against authority, which often causes problems.
- Many people kick against change because it feels uncomfortable.
- Even though he knew it was useless, he kept kicking against the rules.
These examples show โkick against sth in a sentenceโ to express resistance or opposition.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse โkick against sthโ with literal kicking or use the phrase incorrectly by separating the verb and preposition or using the wrong preposition.
- Incorrect: She kicked the rules against.
- Correct: She kicked against the rules.
- Incorrect: They kicked for the law.
- Correct: They kicked against the law.
Remember, โkick againstโ is inseparable and always followed by โagainst.โ
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases like โfight against,โ โstruggle with,โ or โresistโ also express opposition. However, โkick against sthโ often implies a more emotional or frustrated resistance and sometimes a sense of futility.
- Fight against: More active and physical opposition.
- Struggle with: Can refer to internal or external challenges.
- Resist: General term for opposition, often more formal.
โKick against sthโ is less formal than โresistโ but more figurative than โfight against.โ
Common Collocations
People often use โkick againstโ with abstract nouns related to rules, authority, or ideas. Common collocations include:
- Rules: Opposing regulations or guidelines.
- Authority: Resisting those in power.
- Change: Fighting against new developments.
- Decision: Disagreeing with a choice made.
- Law: Objecting to legal requirements.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of kick against sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a simple conversation using โkick against sthโ:
Anna: I donโt understand why you keep complaining about the new policy.
Ben: Iโm just kicking against it because it feels unfair.
Anna: But have you tried talking to the manager?
Ben: I have, but it seems like kicking against the wind.
Practice
Try to complete the sentence with the correct phrase.
He keeps __________ the new rules even though they are necessary.
- a) kicking against
- b) kicking off
- c) kicking out
- d) kicking in
Answer: a) kicking against
FAQs
- What does โkick against sthโ mean? It means to resist or oppose something, often with frustration.
- Is โkick against sthโ separable? No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb.
- Can I use โkick againstโ in everyday conversation? Yes, but it is more common in formal or literary contexts.
- What is a synonym for โkick against sthโ? Resist, fight against, or struggle with.
- Is โkick against sthโ always negative? Usually, it implies frustration or opposition, often seen as negative.
