Welcome back to our daily Idiom series — made to help you sound more natural in everyday English.
Today’s idiom is “Kick the Bucket.” Let’s learn what it means, when to use it, and see some quick examples.
Quick Summary
Idiom: Kick the Bucket
Meaning: To die (used in an informal or humorous way)
Example: The old man down the street finally kicked the bucket last night.
The idiom “kick the bucket” means to die. It is usually said in a light-hearted, casual tone.
It’s often used when you want to make the situation sound less sad or just to be casual about it.
The exact origin isn’t clear, but some say it came from an old method where animals were hung on a wooden beam called a “bucket” — when they died, they literally kicked it. Over time, it became a funny way to say, “someone passed away.”
So, if you say someone “kicked the bucket,” it simply means they have died, but in a less formal way.
Kick the Bucket Idiom Examples
- My grandfather used to joke that he wanted to travel the world before he kicked the bucket.
- In the movie, the hero’s old dog finally kicked the bucket after living a long and happy life.
- Don’t say “kick the bucket” when talking to someone’s family — it might sound rude.
- He made a list of all the things he wanted to do before he kicked the bucket.
- The villagers said the old landlord kicked the bucket peacefully in his sleep.
- I want to see the Northern Lights before I kick the bucket — it’s on my dream list!
- The character in the book kicked the bucket in a dramatic and emotional scene.
- When the celebrity kicked the bucket, fans all over the world shared their memories.
- Ramesh keeps joking about how he’ll donate all his money to charity after he kicks the bucket.
- My phone battery kicked the bucket again — I really need to buy a new one! (Used humorously for broken objects too!)
Want to learn more idioms easily? Check out our Complete Guide to Everyday American Idioms—you’ll find more simple meanings, fun examples, and real-life practice!
Similar Idioms
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pass away | To die (more polite and respectful way to say) |
| Give up the ghost | To die or stop working |
| Bite the dust | To die or fail completely |
| Meet one’s end | To die |
| Go to a better place | To die (used in comforting tone) |
If you want to learn about all the American Idioms, then here is our best curated complete list of A-Z Idioms list in one place.