verb · B1

Kick-Start

KIKST-aht/ˈkɪk stɑːt/

To kick-start is to make something begin or grow quickly after a slow period: kick-start the economy / recovery. Boost is a close twin; start is weaker. Hyphen in UK news. Do not use it for switching on a kettle. Grants: kick-start high-street recovery.

Meaning

To make something begin or grow more quickly after a slow period.

Examples

“Ministers promised a grant to kick-start high-street recovery.”
“A summer school can kick-start revision after a weak mock.”

Good to know

kick-start + recovery / economy / a process. Close: boost. Weaker: start. Hyphen. Political / exam catch-up. Not for a literal kettle.

Near in meaning

boost

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