kickoff

for a kick-off

A phrase that precedes the first of several things mentioned. A: "OK, what did I do wrong?" B: "Well, for a kick-off, you put all of yesterday's paperwork in the wrong file."

kick off

1. verb To rid something from one's body by kicking. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "kick" and "off." I tried to mount the wild stallion, but it kicked me off almost immediately. Tom freaked out when he saw the spider on his leg, and he started dancing around wildly as he tried to kick it off.
2. verb To remove an article of clothing, especially shoes, by kicking one's legs or feet. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "kick" and "off." I can't wait to get home, kick off my shoes, and relax on the couch.
3. verb To remove one from a group or eliminate one from a contest. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "kick" and "off." Greg got kicked off the basketball team because of his grades. You're going to kick me off student council because I missed one meeting? That's not fair! My favorite contestant got kicked off the reality show last night.
4. verb In American football, to kick the ball to the opposing team, as happens at the beginning of each half and after any scoring drive. The home team will be kicking off to start the second half.
5. verb To begin or mark the start of something, such as an event, a series, or a period of time. In this usage, a noun of pronoun can be used between "kick" and "off." The radio station is going to kick off its membership drive with a two-day music marathon. When the new school year started, we kicked it off with a pep rally, and the kids really loved it. We're going to kick off the new year with a huge party.
6. verb To disconnect one from a virtual network or platform. Often used in the passive voice. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "kick" and "off." Remember when the Internet was tied to the phone line, and you would get kicked off if someone picked up the phone? I tried to log in but I got the password wrong too many times so I got kicked off temporarily. That bug just kicked me off of the server.
7. verb, slang To die. If they invent a hoverboard before I kick off, I'm definitely going to try it, no matter how old I am.
8. noun In American football, the act of kicking the ball to the opposing team, as happens at the beginning of each half and after any scoring drive. In this usage, the term is usually hyphenated or spelled as one word. Two minutes to kick-off, everyone! Grab a snack and find a seat!
9. noun The beginning of something or an activity or ceremony that marks the start of something, such as an event, a series, or a period of time. In this usage, the term is usually hyphenated of spelled as one word. The radio station's kick-off to its membership drive was a two-day music marathon. We held a pep rally as a kick-off to the new school, and the kids really loved it. We're going to throw a huge party as the kickoff to the new year.
See also: kick, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

kick off

 
1. Lit. to start play in a football game by kicking the ball. Tom kicked off in the last game. Now it's my turn. John tripped when he was kicking off.
2. and kick the bucket Fig. to die. Don't say that George Washington "kicked off." Say that he "passed away." My cat kicked off last night. She was tough as a lion. When I kick the bucket, I want a huge funeral with lots of flowers and crying.
See also: kick, off

kick something off

Fig. to begin something; to hold a party or ceremony to mark the start of something. (Alludes to starting a football game by kicking off the ball for the first play.) The city kicked the centennial celebration off with a parade. They kicked off the celebration with a parade.
See also: kick, off

kick something off (of) someone or something

 and kick something off
to knock something off someone or something by kicking. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) The baby must have kicked her covers off of herself in the night. She kicked off her covers in the night.
See also: kick, off
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

kick off

1. Start, begin, as in They kicked off the celebration with a parade. This term alludes to starting play by kicking the ball in soccer, football, and similar sports. [Mid-1800s]
2. See kick in, def. 2.
See also: kick, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

for a kick-off

You use for a kick-off to indicate that you are mentioning just one of a number of things, points, or reasons which you could mention if you wanted to. Is it not in fact the opinion of the public that most dentists earn far too much for a kick-off? Think what she has to give up. Smoking, for a kick-off, and having long hair. Note: The kick-off is the beginning of a football match.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

kick off

v.
1. To begin; start: The party will kick off around 4:00, so we need to leave here at 3:30.
2. To begin something; cause something to start: The author kicked off the book tour with a press conference. Our annual film festival starts tomorrow, and we will be kicking it off with a screening of contemporary African films.
3. To expel someone from some official group: I was such a bad player that they finally kicked me off the team. I served on the committee for a few months, but they soon kicked me off for not going to the meetings. I got kicked off the swim team for drinking alcohol during the season.
4. To suddenly disconnect someone from some computer network. Used chiefly in the passive: I was kicked off the Internet while I was downloading some software.
5. Sports To begin or resume play by kicking a ball: The home team kicked off at the top of the second half.
See also: kick, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

kick (off)

in. to die. We’ve been waiting for years for that cat to kick off.
See also: kick, off
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • for a kick-off
  • because of
  • guess what
  • Guess what!
  • Here’s the deal
  • here's the deal
  • be a sport
  • I must say good night
  • permit me
  • file for (something)
References in periodicals archive
rolls around to see the kickoff.  
kickoff, but the game has never started at that exact time.
Super Bowl Kickoffs Are Usually Delayed
Thomas had two kickoff returns for touchdowns his freshman season and took the opening kickoff of the Fiesta Bowl back for a touchdown last year.
Thomas opens floodgate against Utes
ESPN's Kickoff Weekend Monday night doubleheader games drew the two largest audiences on cable this year -- 14.0 million viewers for Bills-Patriots and 11.9 million viewers for Chargers-Raiders.
NFL Sees Record Viewership Numbers for First Weekend of Season
Lowe's recovery on an Oregon kickoff came immediately after the Ducks had taken a 27-17 lead.
Ducks pile on after Lowe recovers OSU errors
Northwestern University head coach Randy Walker (L) and Boston College head coach Tom O'Brien were presented with the 2004 Academic Achievement Award at the 2005 Kickoff Luncheon at the AFCA Convention in Louisville.
AFCA highlights: Louisville
Last year the Ducks blocked a punt for a touchdown at Washington and returned a kickoff for a touchdown at UCLA, and Saturday the special teams get their first chance to similarly impact Pac-10 road game.
Special teams on showcase Saturday
In addition, this comprehensive guide presents detailed technique instruction for kickers, punters, long snappers, field goal and extra point kickers and holders, kickoff and punt returners, and other specialized positions related to the kicking game.
Complete Guide to Special Teams
game, Barner ranks fifth nationally in kickoff returns with a 35.4-yard average, and Owusu is sixth at 35.2 yards per return.
Returns a big weapon for UO, Cardinal
Live Football Special Sky Sports 1, 12.00pm Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers (Kickoff 12.45pm).
Digital sports choice
In fact, the opening kickoff can sometimes set the stage for the rest of the game.
Winning with the kicking game. (Football)
Owusu is already tied for the Pac-10 season record with his three kickoff returns for touchdowns, and only two away from the NCAA record.
Beavers hope Owusu has few happy returns
Live International Football Sky Sports 3, 7.30pm Northern Ireland v Slovenia (Kickoff 7.45pm).
Digital sports choice
At Hamilton City, we do it with out "Attack" kickoff return.
Attack with your kick-off return!
How to run up the yardage with a triple reverse posting action on the kickoff
Getting the most in returns