PhrasesHub

Kick the bucket

    Definitions

      • death
        Referring to the act of dying

      • complete failure
        Describing a situation or event that has ended in complete failure or collapse

      • quitting or giving up
        Indicating that someone has decided to stop doing something or give up on a task or goal

    Examples of Kick the bucket

    • The old man kicked the bucket yesterday.

      This idiom means that the old man passed away. The phrase "kick the bucket" is believed to have originated from the practice of slaughtering animals by cutting their throats and making them kick their legs in a bucket as they died. The expression "kick the bucket" is used figuratively to mean dying.

    • After losing his job and his wife, John felt like he was going to kick the bucket.

      This idiom is used to express a strong feeling of despair and hopelessness. The phrase "kick the bucket" is used figuratively to mean dying, and in this context, it implies that John felt like giving up on life altogether.

    • The news of his diagnosis was a real bucket kicker.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is extremely shocking, surprising, or upsetting. The phrase "bucket kicker" is used figuratively to mean something that is so unexpected or disturbing that it feels like a death blow.

    • I don't want to hear any more bucket kickers today.

      This idiom is used to express a desire to avoid bad news or unpleasant surprises. The phrase "bucket kicker" is used figuratively to mean something that is negative or distressing, and in this context, it implies that the speaker wants to avoid any more bad news or unpleasant surprises.

    • The company's financial report was a real bucket kicker.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is extremely negative or disappointing. The phrase "bucket kicker" is used figuratively to mean something that is so bad or negative that it feels like a death blow. In this context, it implies that the company's financial report was very disappointing and negative.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "kick the bucket" has a clear and direct meaning, referring to death. However, it is also commonly used to express complete failure or giving up on something. This usage may have originated from the idea of death being the ultimate failure or ending. Additionally, the image of a bucket being kicked over and its contents spilling out could symbolize the end of a project or goal.

    Origin of "Kick the bucket"

    The origin of this idiom is not entirely clear, but there are a few theories. One possible explanation is that it comes from the grisly practice of executing people by hanging them from a bucket and then kicking the bucket out from under their feet. Another theory is that it originated from a Catholic tradition of having a bucket of holy water near a dying person, and when the person passed away, the bucket would be kicked over as a sign of their passing.

    Regardless of its specific origin, the idiom has been in use since the 16th century and has become a common phrase in English. Its dark and morbid connotation has made it a popular choice for expressing death or failure in a humorous or lighthearted way. It is also often used in movies, books, and other media, further solidifying its place in the English language.