# get one's kicks

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/get-ones-kicks
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To enjoy oneself, to have a good time.

## Examples

- He gets his kicks from riding his motorcycle on weekends.
- Some people enjoy quiet hobbies, but she gets her kicks from extreme sports like skydiving.
- While others sought fulfillment in professional success, he preferred to get his kicks from the unpredictable nature of street photography.

## Origin

From *kick*, in the sense of a sudden pleasure or thrill, the phrase is a variation of the earlier construction *to get a kick out of*. It appears in the mid-20th century as a colloquial expression for seeking excitement.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.