# kicked

/ˈkɪkt/ (US) · /kˈɪkt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kicked
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. hit with a foot

verb · CEFR A2

hit something or someone with your foot.

For teachers: the past tense of kick, meaning to strike out with the foot or to propel an object using the foot.

- The player kicked the ball across the field to his teammate.
- The striker kicked the ball with such precision that it bypassed the wall of defenders and landed in the top corner of the net.

### 2. stopped a habit

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

stopped doing something bad, like a habit or an addiction.

For teachers: to have successfully ceased a habitual or addictive behaviour. Transitive, usually taking the habit as a direct object.

- He finally kicked his sugar habit after years of trying.
- After several failed attempts at moderation, she finally kicked the habit entirely and hasn't looked back since.

### 3. empty or finished

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang

used to describe something that is completely empty or finished.

For teachers: describing a container or resource that has been entirely depleted. Predicative use only.

- We can't have another drink because the keg is kicked.
- By the time the latecomers arrived at the party, the punch bowl was already kicked and the snacks were gone.

Usage: Usually follows the verb 'to be'.

## Examples

- He kicked the ball across the field.
- The player kicked the ball into the goal during the final minute of the match.
- After years of struggling with a heavy caffeine dependency, she finally kicked the habit and noticed an immediate improvement in her sleep quality.

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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.