kick down
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to kick something hard so it falls or opens — often used for doors or barriers.
phrasal verb. to strike with the foot to cause something to collapse or open; transitive, typically used with physical objects like doors or walls.
The soldier kicked down the locked door.
During the protest, activists kicked down the barricade to enter the building.
The storm kicked down the old oak tree, leaving the garden in ruins.
followed by a physical object that is being struck or forced open.
contrast with 'kick in' (breaking something with a kick) — 'kick down' emphasizes the direction of force (downward) and the result (collapse or opening).
He kicked the door down.He kicked down the door.'kick down' is inseparable; separating the particle changes the meaning to 'kick the door' (as in a gesture) rather than 'kick down the door' (as in breaking it open).
Last updated April 24, 2026