1871. Observer, 24 Dec. Much calculated, when fired, to develop a quality known as kicking.
4. (American).—To jilt; to give the mitten (q.v.).
5. (American).—To die: an abbreviation of to kick the bucket (q.v.).
6. (old).—See quot. For synonyms see Amputate and Skedaddle. Also Kick it.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v. Kick'd. The Rum Cull kick'd away, i.e., The Rogue made his escape.
Kick in the guts, subs. phr.
(old).—A dram of spirits.—Grose
(1785).
To get more kicks than ha' pence, verb. phr. (colloquial).—See monkey's allowance.
1861. Trollope, Framley Parsonage, xix. In all this matter I have harassed myself greatly to oblige you, and in return I have got more kicks than halfpence.
1824. Scott, St. Ronan's, xxxiv. 'Which is like monkey's allowance, I suppose,' said the traveller, 'more kicks than halfpence.'
1856. C. Kingsley, Letter, May [3rd abridged ed. 1579]. You fellows worked like bricks, spent money, and got midshipman's half-pay (nothing a day, and find yourself) and monkey's allowance (more kicks than half-pence).
To kick over the traces, verb. phr. (colloquial).—(1) To go the pace (q.v.); and (2) to resist authority.
1861. H. Kingsley, Ravenshoe, xlii. 'I'll go about with the rogue. He is inclined to kick over the traces, but I'll whip him in a little.'
1892. Milliken, 'Arry Ballads, p. 10. It's a sort of kick-over-the-traces, a thing as all females enjoy.
To kick up a breeze (or dust, row, diversion, lark, shindy, etc.) verb. phr. (common).—To create a disturbance; to raise Cain (q.v.); to paint the town red (q.v.).
1759. Smollett, Letter to Wilkes, quoted in D. Hannay's Smollett (1887), p. 132. If the affair cannot be compromised we intend to kick up a dust, and die hard.
1764. O'Hara, Midas, 1. ii. Nor doubt I, with my voice, guitar, and person, Among the nymphs to kick up some diversion.
1770. Colman, Oxonian in Town, 1. ii. Ten to one but there's a riot—we'll kick up a dust, I warrant you.
1771. G. A. Stevens, Songs Comic and Satyrical, 144. The patron of voices said 'twould go for the wench Unless that a dust he could kick up.
d.1796. Burns, The Rights of Women. Would swagger, swear, get drunk, kick up a riot.
1812. Coombe, Syntax, Picturesque, C. xxii. I wish to know, Sir, what you mean, By kicking up, Sir, such a scene!
1819. Moore, Tom Crib, p. 5. Something may happen to kick up a breeze.
1844. Puck, p. 14. The rows that they might kick up.
1871. Louisville Courier, 19 Mar. The ill-treatment of Mr. Sumner will not be borne patiently by his friends and the New England States; it is sure to kick up A row in the Republican party.
1878. Jas. Payn, By Proxy, ii. He means that you are much too excited to be sane; that you are apt to kick up a row about nothing at all.
To kick the wind, verb. phr. (old).—See quot. For synonyms see Aloft.
1598. Florio, Worlde of Wordes, Dar de' calci a Rouaio, to be hang'd, to kicke the winde.
To get the kick out (or dirty kick out).—To be summarily dismissed, discharged, or 'kicked out'.
To kick the bucket, verb. phr. (common).—To die. For synonyms see Aloft. Also kick and
