What does “kick up your feet” mean in American English?
Describing Simple Actions Around The House
A2 English listening practice · British English · Picked for people who know a little
“To kick up your feet” doesn’t mean lifting them in the air. It’s a cosy American idiom for putting them up on a footstool or recliner to relax. When the speaker says “I’m kicking up my feet,” she’s signalling the workday is done.
It’s worth distinguishing from two close cousins. “To put your feet up” is similar but slightly more British. “To kick back” means to relax in general, no feet required, just an attitude. All three sit in casual everyday speech; you wouldn’t write them in a business email but they’re constant in spoken English.
How common are the words?
How common are the words in this A2 English listening practice video?
How common in written English
How common in spoken English
Harder words in this video
These words are harder than A2. Here is what they mean.
Source: wordfreq 3.1.1 (general) · SUBTLEX-US 2012 (spoken). These numbers are close, not perfect.
- ▸In any American sitcom or family drama after the work-day-ends scene
- ▸In commercials for recliner chairs, beer, weekend getaways
- ▸In country music lyrics about the end of a long day
- ▸In casual “how was your day?” conversation in American English
- ▸In retirement and lifestyle content (“finally able to kick up my feet”)