kick the bucket — to die (informal, humorous)
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: to die (informal, humorous)
Pronunciation (IPA): /kɪk ðə ˈbʌkɪt/
Example Sentences
- The old computer finally kicked the bucket after 10 years of faithful service.
- My car is going to kick the bucket soon - it makes weird noises every morning.
- He jokes that he wants to travel the world before he kicks the bucket.
kick the bucket
NOUN[/kɪk ðə ˈbʌkɪt/]
to die (informal, humorous)
After a long adventurous life, the old pirate finally kicked the bucket on his ship.
By the well with his bucket, he hears the final tucket.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This idiom has been in use since the 16th century, with the most prominent theory linking it to slaughterhouses where animals were hung from wooden beams or poles (bucket) and would convulse or kick their legs as they died, making the phrase a metaphorical reference to death.
Breakdown
kick (to strike with the foot) + the + bucket (originally a wooden pole or beam used in slaughterhouses; later generalized to 'bucket' in the idiom).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The old computer finally kicked the bucket after 10 years of faithful service.”
“My car is going to kick the bucket soon - it makes weird noises every morning.”
“He jokes that he wants to travel the world before he kicks the bucket.”
“The washing machine kicked the bucket right in the middle of laundry day.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.