Kicked out
Meaning
To be forcibly removed or expelled from a place, a job, or a group.
Origin
The phrase's power comes from its literal bluntness, evoking the sudden, forceful act of using a foot to propel something or someone away. This potent image of physical expulsion evolved naturally into a metaphor for any abrupt and unwelcome removal, whether from a building, a job, or a social circle. It conveys an undignified, decisive, and often permanent dismissal, stripping the target of their position or presence with the swift finality of a literal kick.
Examples
- After repeated warnings, the unruly student was finally kicked out of the school for good.
- They got kicked out of the concert for trying to sneak backstage without a pass.