kick at the can

English

Alternative forms

• kick at the cat

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

kick at the can (plural kicks at the can)

1. (chiefly US and Canada, idiomatic) An attempt or an opportunity.
   • 2005 June 17, Carol Vogel, “The Modern Buys 'Rebus'”, in New York Times, retrieved 13 February 2014:

     "We're now in a situation where you get just one kick at the can," Mr. Elderfield said.

   • 2011, Paul Litt, Elusive Destiny: The Political Vocation of John Napier Turner, →ISBN, page 389:

     He figured that Canadian political leaders got only two kicks at the can, and he'd now had both of his.

   • 2012 January 20, Eric Jackson, “In Defense of Jerry Yang”, in Forbes, retrieved 13 February 2014:

     How many companies get the chance to flail around for 6 years and then get a second kick at the can?

Verb

kick at the can (third-person singular simple present kicks at the can, present participle kicking at the can, simple past and past participle kicked at the can)

1. (chiefly US and Canada, idiomatic) To make an attempt; to try.

See also

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