- An informal, often humorous or slightly callous idiom meaning to die.
Explanation
Origin
Uncertain, with several popular theories:
- Suicide by Hanging: A person standing on an upturned bucket would kick it away to hang themselves.
- Slaughtering Animals: Animals (especially pigs) might be hung by their feet from a beam (sometimes called a 'bucket' in certain dialects, e.g., Norfolk 'buchet') after slaughter, potentially kicking the beam/bucket in their death throes.
- Catholic Holy Water: A bucket of holy water might traditionally be placed at the feet of a deceased person; mourners would sprinkle water on the body. The association of the bucket with death might have led to the phrase.
The exact origin is unknown, but the phrase has been used since at least the late 18th century.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal (Similar tone):
- Croak
- Snuff it
- Cark it (Aus/NZ)
- Pop one's clogs (UK)
- Check out
- Peg out
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Drop dead (often used as an insult/command, or to describe sudden death)
Milder/Euphemistic:
- Pass away / Pass on
- Expire / Decease
- Bite the dust (can also mean fail)
- Buy the farm (esp. accident/combat)
Situational Appropriateness
- Highly informal. Generally inappropriate for sensitive situations like funerals or speaking with the bereaved.
- Can sound callous or disrespectful if used carelessly about someone's death.
- Acceptable when used humorously about oneself, hypothetically, or about inanimate objects breaking down permanently.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Must be learned as an idiom; the literal meaning is nonsensical in context.
- The main risk is misjudging the tone and causing offense by using it in a situation requiring sensitivity.
Examples
- I want to see the pyramids before I kick the bucket.
- My old car finally kicked the bucket on the way home yesterday. (Used figuratively for machines dying/breaking down)
- Did you hear old Mr. Abernathy finally kicked the bucket? (Can sound disrespectful)
Dialogue
(Less sensitive context)
Friend 1: My resolution is to travel more this year. Gotta do it before I kick the bucket!
Friend 2: Haha, good plan! Where do you want to go first?
Person A: Guess what? That ancient printer in the office finally kicked the bucket.
Person B: About time! Let's hope they replace it with something decent.
Social Media Examples
- Post: My trusty old laptop finally kicked the bucket today after 10 years of service. RIP old friend. Time for an upgrade! #TechFail #EndOfAnEra
- Humorous Tweet: Added 'learn to juggle chainsaws' to my bucket list. Might kick the bucket sooner than planned, but what a way to go! 😂 #BucketList #BadIdeas
- Comment (on news of a disliked public figure's death *use with caution*): Well, sounds like he finally kicked the bucket.
Response Patterns
- Depends heavily on context and tone.
- If used humorously about oneself or hypothetically: Laughter, agreement (Me too!), discussion of 'bucket lists'.
- If used about a machine: Resignation (Oh well), sympathy (That sucks).
- If used about a person's death: Might be met with similar dark humor (if appropriate for the relationship/context), disapproval (Don't say that!), or awkward silence if considered insensitive.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- If about oneself: Discussing life goals ('bucket list' items).
- If about a machine: Discussing replacement/repair.
- If about a person: Asking how/when it happened (if the tone allows), potentially sharing anecdotes (humorous or otherwise).
Conversation Starter
- No, except when humorously referring to one's own mortality or creating a 'bucket list' (list of things to do before one dies).
Intonation
- Often casual, flippant, or humorous. Can sound insensitive if used inappropriately.
- Stress falls on kick and bucket. Kick the bucket.
Generation Differences
- Widely known across generations, though the flippant usage might vary. The term 'bucket list' derived from this idiom is very common across generations now.
Regional Variations
- Common and understood in most major English-speaking regions.