kick-start
/ˈkɪkstɑːt
/verb [with object]
1Start (a motorcycle engine) with a downward thrust of a pedal: he kick-started the motor and zoomed up the hill...
- Leaving the commons behind, I kick-started my motorcycle, and rode toward the sliding door of the warehouse.
- The effect of such an influx of capital is similar to kick-starting a motorcycle; it takes that sharp input, it may need more than a single attempt, but once it catches, the engine takes over.
- He told the jogger: ‘I'm off’ and tried to kick-start the motorcycle.
1.1Provide an impetus to start or resume (a process): they need to kick-start the economy...
- The bankers on the Mound took the applause from disgruntled shareholders for kick-starting the process that led to the underperforming English bank being taken over by more efficient Scottish operators.
- Do you credit Jeremy's departure with kick-starting the process?
- ‘A lot of people have very ambitious ideas, but almost nobody has the funding to kick-start a global initiative,’ Aylward said.
noun
1A device to start an engine by the downward thrust of a pedal, as in older motorcycles.I rotated the kick-start to see if the motor was seized. I got it down smoothly to the point where it would start to rotate the motor, and then nothing....
- When the engine is off and the bike is in gear I squeeze the clutch and then pump the kick-start and the bike moves.
1.1An act of kick-starting an engine.
1.2An impetus given to start or resume a process: new investment will provide the kick-start needed to escape from recession...
- He didn't have all that much to do but I was pleased at the way he was coming off his line and hopefully that will provide a big kick-start for his confidence.
- What is it that gets Auckland out of its summer stupor and provides a kick-start for the new year?
- Upgrading of PCs should theoretically provide a kick-start for the PC producers, good solid but low margin business.