kick into touch: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘kick into touch’ mean?
The idiom "kick into touch" means to deliberately avoid dealing with something or to delay a decision or action. It is often used in contexts where someone is trying to avoid taking responsibility or facing a difficult or unpleasant situation.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "touch on" means to briefly mention or discuss a topic without going into great detail or depth.
The idiom "knock some sense into" means to forcefully make someone understand something by using harsh or direct methods. It implies the need to change someone's perspective or behavior abruptly and forcefully, often through physical or emotional means.
The idiom "knock it off" means to stop a certain behavior or to cease doing something annoying or inappropriate.
The idiom "kick the habit" means to stop or break a bad or addictive behavior or addiction. It can refer to giving up smoking, drugs, or any other negative habit.
The idiom "kick the can down the road" means to delay or postpone addressing a problem or making a decision, often because it is difficult or unpopular to do so at the present time.
The idiom "kick someone when they are down" means to take advantage of someone's vulnerable state or exploit their weakness for personal gain or to further harm them.
The idiom *kick someone's ass* means to physically or figuratively defeat or dominate someone. It conveys a strong sense of power, aggression, and superiority. This phrase is often used colloquially and can be considered vulgar or offensive in certain contexts.
The idiom "kick out" means to forcefully make someone leave or expel them from a place or a group, often due to misbehavior or non-compliance with rules.
The idiom "kick one's heels" means to wait idly or impatiently for something or someone without any purpose or result.
The Definition of "Kick into Touch"
The idiom "kick into touch" is a rugby term that has become part of everyday English. In the game of rugby, players have the option to kick the ball out of play, known as "touch," in order to gain an advantage. When a player deliberately kicks the ball into touch, it means they are strategically stopping the opposing team's progress or buying time.
In a metaphorical sense, "kick into touch" is now used to describe any action or decision that abruptly halts a process or addresses a problem. It implies intentionally interrupting or redirecting a situation, often with the aim of preventing a negative outcome or gaining control over it. This phrase is commonly used in British and Australian English, but it is also understood and used in other English-speaking regions, including the United States.
Visually evocative with a final touch, the term "kick into touch" carries a connotation of deliberate and decisive action. It suggests a calculated break, with a focus on the consequences and outcomes of the chosen course of action. This idiom often indicates a strategy to thwart an opponent's progress or eliminate a potential threat.
Furthermore, "kick into touch" can describe situations where individuals or organizations intentionally delay a decision or take actions that defer or postpone a resolution. It can be used as a criticism, implying that the person or group is avoiding taking responsibility or confronting a problem head-on. In other words, they are metaphorically kicking the problem down the road, hoping it will go away or be dealt with by someone else.
While "kick into touch" is primarily associated with rugby, its usage extends beyond the sport. In various contexts, this phrase can describe actions taken in political, business, or personal realms, where individuals seek to redirect a situation or bring it to a halt for their own advantage.
For example, consider the related idiom "kick in." Similar to "kick into touch," "kick in" refers to an action or event that has an immediate impact or effect. In the context of our previous discussion, when a decision or action kicks in, it means it takes effect and starts influencing the situation. This idiom emphasizes the suddenness and significance of the impact, much like a powerful kick in a rugby match.
Another related idiom is "kick the can down the road." This phrase refers to the act of postponing a decision or action, often to avoid dealing with a difficult or complex issue in the present. When someone kicks the can down the road, they are metaphorically deferring the problem, hoping that it will be resolved or forgotten in the future. It is similar to the criticism associated with "kick into touch" when individuals or groups delay taking responsibility or facing a problem directly.
Lastly, there's "kick at the can," which is similar to "kick the can down the road" in meaning. This idiom also describes the act of postponing or avoiding a decision or action. It implies a half-hearted attempt to address the problem, often characterized by minimal effort or commitment. The phrase suggests a lack of genuine intention to resolve or tackle the issue at hand.
The idiom "kick into touch" originated from the game of rugby and has found its way into colloquial English. Metaphorically, it is used to describe any action or decision that abruptly halts a process or addresses a problem. This phrase conveys a deliberate and strategic break, focusing on the consequences and outcomes of the chosen course of action. It is similar to related idioms such as "kick in," "kick the can down the road," and "kick at the can," which highlight the immediate impact, delayed decision-making, and half-hearted attempts respectively. As with many idioms, the usage of "kick into touch" continues to evolve, offering room for exploration and creative interpretation in the English language.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *kick into touch* can be used in a sentence:
- He tried to come up with an excuse, but his friends quickly kicked his idea into touch.
- The company decided to kick the project into touch due to budget constraints.
- After some negotiations, they managed to kick the issue into touch and focus on more pressing matters.
The idiom "kick into touch" is used in various contexts to indicate the act of rejecting or getting rid of an idea, project, or issue. It implies a deliberate and decisive action to dismiss or postpone something, often due to it being considered unfeasible, undesirable, or irrelevant.
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