kick up

To make something more lively, exciting, or intense.

• Bright lights kick up the excitement.
• The drummer kicked the performance up a notch.
• Can we kick things up with a faster song?

How to use it: kick something up a notch (A live band kicked the party up a notch.)

Similar words: liven up, spice up

Common phrases: kick up something, kick up the excitement

To increase a price or an amount that people must pay.

• They kicked up the rent.
• The hotel kicked its prices up during the festival.
• Will the new owner kick up our fees?

How to use it: kick something up (The owner kicked the rent up again.)

Similar words: raise, increase, put up

Opposites: lower

Common phrases: kick up prices, kick up rent

To move suddenly and strongly upward.

• The lever kicked up suddenly.
• The rear wheel kicked up as the bike hit a bump.
• Watch the rod kick up when the spring releases.

Similar words: jerk upward

Common phrases: kick up suddenly, kick up sharply

To complain loudly or angrily about something.

• Dad kicked up about the bill.
• She kicked up when they cancelled her booking.
• There is no point kicking up about a small delay.

How to use it: kick up about something (He kicked up about the extra charge.)

Similar words: complain, make a fuss

Common phrases: kick up about something, kick up angrily

To start working badly, or to become painful or troublesome again.

• My knee is kicking up again.
• The old engine kicked up on the way home.
• Has your arthritis started to kick up?

Similar words: act up, play up

Common phrases: kick up again, kick up badly

To send money or a matter to someone higher in an organization.

• They kick up money to the boss.
• The local gang kicked up a share of its profits.
• She kicked the decision up to a senior manager.

How to use it: kick something up to someone (They kicked the proposal up to the director.)

Similar words: pass up, refer up

Common phrases: kick up something, kick up money