kick back

kick back

1. verb To recoil, as of a gun that has been fired. If you're not careful, that rifle will bruise your shoulder when it kicks back.
2. verb To relax, typically by reclining and/or engaging in a sedentary activity. Often used in the phrase "kick back and relax." After a long day of yardwork, I love to kick back and relax on a lawn chair with a tall glass of lemonade. I like going to the movies, but I prefer kicking back with a good book at home.
3. noun A percentage of a profit paid to someone who facilitated the profit, typically through illegal means, such as using a government position to ease restrictions on a business deal. In this usage, the phrase is often hyphenated or written as one word. The politician was receiving kickbacks for years, and now the full extent of his corruption has been revealed.
4. noun The recoil of a gun. In this usage, the phrase is often hyphenated or written as one word. Careful, that rifle's got a heck of a kickback.
See also: back, kick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

kick something back (to someone or something)

to move something back to someone, something, or some place by kicking. I kicked the ball back to Walter. He kicked it to me, and I kicked it back.
See also: back, kick

kick back (at someone or something)

to kick at someone or something in revenge. She kicked at me, so I kicked back at her. If you kick me, I'll kick back.
See also: back, kick

kick back

 
1. Inf. to relax; to lean back and relax. (See also lie back.) I really like to kick back and relax. It's time to kick back and enjoy life.
2. . Inf. [for an addict] to return to an addiction or a habit, after having "kicked the habit." Lefty kicked back after only a few days of being clean. A lot of addicts kick back very soon.
See also: back, kick
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

kick back

1. Recoil unexpectedly and violently, as in This rifle kicks back a lot when you fire it. [Early 1800s]
2. Return stolen property to the owner, as in The pawnbroker kicked back the paintings to the gallery. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
3. Pay back a part of one's earnings, as in The workers were forced to kick back half their pay to the agent. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
See also: back, kick
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

kick back

v.
1. To return something by kicking it: I'll roll the ball to you, and then you kick it back. The goalie kicked back the soccer ball.
2. To recoil unexpectedly and violently: Be careful with that power saw—if it kicks back, you could be badly injured. Hold the rifle tightly—otherwise it will kick back and bruise your shoulder.
3. To relax, especially by resting: I was too tired to work last night, so I just kicked back at home and watched TV.
4. Slang To pay someone in return for an illegal favor: The corrupt official kicked $1,000 back to the politicians who helped him get the grant money. If you can kick back some of your profits, I'll make sure you win that contract.
See also: back, kick
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

kick back

1. in. to relax (and enjoy something). I like to kick back and listen to a few tunes.
2. n. money received in return for a favor. (Usually kickback.) The kickback the cop got wasn’t enough, as it turned out.
3. in. [for an addict] to return to addiction after having been detoxified and withdrawn. (Drugs.) They may kick back a dozen times before it takes.
See also: back, kick
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • cross over
  • face off
  • face-off
  • answer to
  • bag it
  • bag someone
  • bagged
  • bagging
  • going to
  • break out
References in periodicals archive
Priced at pounds 172,995, you can kick back and relax with friends and family in the ground floor lounge/dining room, or stretch out in the first floor sitting room.
Homes: Spacious living for smaller families
This is the type of job where you can just kick back and watch fewer and fewer kids recognize you as the years go by.
The fat lady has sung (what to do after skateboarding)
Now, Tashia can kick back and enjoy her (clutter-free) space.
Knockout room re-do's
The well-churched, too, want to kick back now and then and relax with a good novel.
God's Reading Rainbow
David Brightwell, unmarked in the six-yard area, stabbed Carlisle into a 16th minute lead after Stevens headed Damon Searle's deep free kick back into the danger area.
Football: Darryl has a Stags party
It's a chance to kick back, play a few rounds of golf or sets of tennis and spend time with old and new friends.
Fitness vacations to help you de-stress: great ways and places to relax and rejuvenate
400.00 Millions by misusing his official power to get illegal gain and kick back.
NAB held two more bureaucrats in Nathiagali land scam
Paul Crowley knocked David Crawley's free kick back across goal for substitute Robbie Farrell to head home.
DUNDALK BACK TOP; Dundalk 2 Sporting Fingal 1
And Angel, T3 and me find a cool spot in the shade to kick back and handle our bitness.
Slum village
Pop it into your player, kick back, and really pay attention to the words.
Top 10. (Girls' Life)
Skipper Aidan Price headed Ger O'Brien free kick back across goal and Purcell volleyed home.
Football: Rovers to the 4; Kilkenny 0 Shamrock R 1
The Ulsterman has slipped to five under and he said: "My tee shot hit the grill of the barrier to kick back inbounds.
Golf: MCDOWELL IS LOST INTHE LONG GRASS; OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: ALL THE SECOND DAY DRAMA FROM HOYLAKE
And for those who just wanted to kick back and relax the festival's Body and Soul Village had everything you could need from a tranquillity tent to a chill-out zone.
Surf's up at the Picnic
Graham Stacey, one of Harris's syndicate managers, said: "The horse got a kick back in May and then the ground was too fast for him in the summer - but conditions were ideal for him today.
Racing: Grooms Affection