English Reference
Idiom idiom

kick some tail


To be authoritative and assertive in order to achieve or accomplish something.

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


SIMPLE

We need to kick some tail to finish this project today.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager told the team it was time to kick some tail if they wanted to meet the deadline.

COMPLEX

Faced with a shrinking market share and mounting pressure from competitors, the CEO decided it was time to kick some tail and overhaul the entire company strategy.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    chase one's tail

    To busily try to perform many tasks or to repeatedly revise one's plans, especially with inefficient use of one's time and limited results.

  2. 02

    chase tail

    To be on the hunt for a (usually sexual) partner.

  3. 03

    get a kick out of

    To be delighted by; to be amused by.

  4. 04

    get one's kicks

    To enjoy oneself, to have a good time.

  5. 05

    grow a tail

    to be nearly about to defecate, to the point of being unable to completely hold it in

  6. 06

    have a tiger by the tail

    To be in a difficult or dangerous situation in which one ideally should not remain, but from which one cannot withdraw.

  7. 07

    have the tiger by the tail

    To be in a difficult or dangerous situation in which one ideally should not remain, but from which one cannot withdraw.

  8. 08

    have the world by the tail

    To possess great influence and opportunity.

Last updated August 10, 2026