Phrase guide

kick against the pricks

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To kick back (of an animal etc.) against being goaded.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To struggle against fate or authority.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • Near-synonym: kick over the traces

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: kick over the traces

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Biblical phrase; see citation below.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: wider den Stachel löcken — to struggle against fate or authority
  • Russian: арта́читься (artáčitʹsja) — to struggle against fate or authority