kick the habit
Meaning
To stop doing an addictive or persistent bad habit, especially smoking, drinking, or drugs.
Origin
Recorded from the early 1900s in American English. βKickβ is used in the sense of βget rid of/throw off,β treating a habit like something you can physically expel.
Notes
Common, informal. Stronger than βstopβ because it implies breaking an addiction or entrenched habit; usually used for harmful habits.
Examples
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After trying for years, he finally managed to kick the habit of smoking.
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She joined a support group to help her kick the habit of late-night snacking.
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If you want to kick the habit, start by removing temptations from your house.
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He kicked the habit of checking his phone every five minutes and felt more focused.
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It took several attempts, but she eventually kicked the habit and saved a lot of money.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase: kick + the + habit. Often followed by βof + -ingβ (kick the habit of smoking). Tense changes normally (kicked/kicking).
Synonyms
- break the habit
- quit
- give up
- stop
- kick (the addiction)
Antonyms
- take up (a habit)
- pick up (a habit)
- get hooked (on)