Kick the bucket
/kɪk ðə ˈbʌkɪt/informalUK · US
What does “Kick the bucket” mean?
Kick the bucket means to die, expressed in a joking or deliberately blunt way.
“Kick the bucket” treats death casually, sometimes as a joke. It fits a comic story or someone joking about their own future, but can sound cruel after a real loss.
People also use it about machines: “Our old fridge finally kicked the bucket” means it stopped working.
When do people say it?
Use it in jokes about death, not when comforting someone who has lost a loved one.
“He joked that he wanted to learn the piano before he kicked the bucket.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
The origin is uncertain. Stories involving a bucket or a wooden beam used in slaughtering exist, but neither is a settled explanation.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “Kick the bucket” in other languages?
Related idioms
- Call it a day, To stop for the day, or stop altogether.
- Under the weather, Mildly unwell.
Last updated 2026-09-16