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kick at the can. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
kick at the can, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
kick at the can in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
kick at the can you have here. The definition of the word
kick at the can will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
kick at the can, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
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Pronunciation
Noun
kick at the can (plural kicks at the can)
- (chiefly US and Canada, idiomatic) An attempt or an opportunity.
2005 June 17, Carol Vogel, “The Modern Buys 'Rebus'”, in New York Times, retrieved 13 February 2014:"We're now in a situation where you get just one kick at the can," Mr. Elderfield said.
2011, Paul Litt, Elusive Destiny: The Political Vocation of John Napier Turner, →ISBN, page 389:He figured that Canadian political leaders got only two kicks at the can, and he'd now had both of his.
2012 January 20, Eric Jackson, “In Defense of Jerry Yang”, in Forbes, retrieved 13 February 2014:How many companies get the chance to flail around for 6 years and then get a second kick at the can?
Verb
kick at the can (third-person singular simple present kicks at the can, present participle kicking at the can, simple past and past participle kicked at the can)
- (chiefly US and Canada, idiomatic) To make an attempt; to try.
See also