To relax; to laze.
- I'm going to stay at home on Saturday and just kick back.
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.
To return (something) to its original or rightful owner.
- They'll kick it back to you if it turns up.
To drink (something).
- We'll kick back some beers.
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.