kick over the traces en · VERB
Etymology
Refers to a horse kicking its legs over to the wrong side of the traces, straps of leather connecting it to the vehicle being towed.
Meanings
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(UK, dated, informal) To rebel against authority; to defy orders or instructions.
1920, A. E. W. Mason, The Summons, XXX: A Revolution in Sir Chichester, "I remember that she once said to me, 'Women do get the worst of it when they kick over the traces,'" Hillyard resumed. "And undoubtedly they do. On the other hand you have McKerrel's hard-headed verdict, 'If these poor neurotic bodies had any work to do they wouldn't have so much time to worry about their troubles.' Who shall choose between them? And what does it matter now? Stella's gone. She will strain her poor little unhappy heart no more against the bars."
Near-synonym: kick against the pricks
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(UK, dated, informal) To live overextravagantly; to come to grief by fast living.
Near-synonyms: live large, live beyond one's means, live high on the hog
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| kicks over the traces | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| kicking over the traces | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| kicked over the traces | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| kicked over the traces | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Synonyms
live large · kick against the pricks · live high on the hog · live beyond one's means
Translations (6)
pl buntować się (to rebel against authority; to defy orders or instructions) · fi niskuroida (to rebel against authority; to defy orders or instructions) · pl zbuntować się (to rebel against authority; to defy orders or instructions) · fi rimpuilla (to rebel against authority; to defy orders or instructions) · fr ruer dans les brancards (to rebel against authority; to defy orders or instructions) · de über die Stränge schlagen (to rebel against authority; to defy orders or instructions)