Idioms

kick the bucket

This page is about the idiom kick the bucket

INFORMAL

Meaning

If someone kicks the bucket, they die.

For example

  • When I kick the bucket, you can just bury me under a tree at the bottom of the garden.

  • Did you see the movie "Bucket List"? It's about these two old guys who make a list of all the things they want to do before they kick the bucket.

Origin: Possibly related to an old and outdated second meaning of the word "bucket", which was a wooden frame on which an animal was hung by the feet before being killed. While dying, the animal might struggle and "kick the bucket".

Quick Quiz

Luke said that after he kicks the bucket, he wants to

a. go back to university

b. go to the pub for a drink

c. go to heaven
a) go back to university b) go to the pub for a drink c) go to heaven
kick the bucket

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey