English Reference
Idiom idiom

kick at the can


An attempt or an opportunity.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

I want one more kick at the can to pass the test.

CONTEXTUAL

The project failed last year, but the manager gave the team another kick at the can.

COMPLEX

Despite his previous failures, he requested one final kick at the can to prove his theory before the committee closed the project permanently.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    get a kick out of

    To be delighted by; to be amused by.

  2. 02

    get one's kicks

    To enjoy oneself, to have a good time.

  3. 03

    kick a dog when it's down

    To make things worse for someone in an adverse situation.

  4. 04

    kick ass

    To win decisively.

  5. 05

    kick ass and take names

    To beat someone in a competition, fight, or other situation.

  6. 06

    kick at an open door

    To carry out a redundant activity.

  7. 07

    kick back

    To relax; to laze.

  8. 08

    kick bollocks scramble

    A free for all or panic situation.

Last updated August 10, 2026