Definition of "kick back" in English

Verb

1. To relax; to laze.

   • I'm going to stay at home on Saturday and just kick back.

2. To pay part of the proceeds of a transaction to a person or organization that mediated it, often in a way that is covert, improper, and illegal.

   • It was the local government’s practice to kick back to the police officer a portion of the fines collected from traffic tickets.
   • It was the insurer’s practice to kick back to the broker approximately 0.12% of the premium paid by the policyholder.
   • It was the company’s practice to kick back to the negotiator at the client company.

3. To return (something) to its original or rightful owner.

   • They'll kick it back to you if it turns up.

4. To drink (something).

   • We'll kick back some beers.

5. To move suddenly and forcefully in reaction to the main action (for example, when a firearm jerks backward when a bullet is fired, or when a table saw thrusts the workpiece in an unexpected direction).

   • You better watch yourself around that saw. That thing kicks back real hard occasionally, with no warning.
   • My revolver can handle .357 Magnum cartridges, but I use .38 Special, because I don't need it kicking back harder than a mule.

Noun

1. Nonstandard spelling of kickback.