give someone the kick —(coll.)
1. make smb. experience excitement or pleasure:
- Morphine and heroin do not give normal persons the “kick” they are supposed to give.
2. have a strong stimulant effect on a person:
- It was this discourse from Osho that gave me the kick I needed to move from the life of illusion.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase give someone a kickback—(sl.) used of money paid illegally for favorable treatment:
- DiBlasio told that he gave a kickback to the Congressman every month, and that was part of their deal.
give someone the kick in the teeth —(coll.) make a person suffer an embarrassing refusal or failure:
- The Liberals’ proud victory has given the two major parties the kick in the teeth that each of them deserves.