Words / B1

KIK-of/ˈkɪk ɒf/

Kick-off is the start of a football match, and informally the start of a meeting: a noon kick-off; the project kick-off. Start is the everyday twin; kick off as a verb can also mean “become angry” in informal UK English — avoid that in exams. Hyphen as a noun. Crowd trouble delays kick-off.

Meaning

The start of a football match; also the start of a meeting or event.

Examples

• “Kick-off was delayed because of crowd trouble.”
• “The project kick-off is at nine in the council chamber, which is the meeting sense.”

Good to know

a kick-off (noun, hyphen). Everyday: a start. Verb kick off = begin a match. Informal UK: kick off = get angry (avoid in exams). Sport / meetings.

Near in meaning

start

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