Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

kick at the can

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.71 in modern English

Syllables: kick- at the -can
IPA

27

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An attempt or an opportunity.

Canadian usage; American usage; Slang

verb

To make an attempt; to try.

Canadian usage; American usage; Slang

Example Sentences

""We're now in a situation where you get just one kick at the can," Mr. Elderfield said."
"He figured that Canadian political leaders got only two kicks at the can, and he'd now had both of his."
"How many companies get the chance to flail around for 6 years and then get a second kick at the can?"

Usage

Inflected Forms

kicks at the can (plural) kicks at the can (present, singular) kicking at the can (participle, present) kicked at the can (participle, past) kicked at the can (past)

Phrases

carry the can kick the can kick the can down the road

Frequently Paired Words

carry the can kick the can kick the can down the road

Synonyms

kick at the cat

Questions

What does kick at the can mean?: An attempt or an opportunity.

How to pronounce kick at the can

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