Idiom
Kick the bucket
By EasySay. Published . Updated .
Kick the bucket is a casual way to say “to die”.
People also use it when a machine stops working for good. The phrase can sound too light when a real person has died, so choose “passed away” when you want to be kind or formal. You will understand it in Australia, the UK and the US.
Written for EasySay, in our own words.
In short
- AvoidDo not use it about a person who has just died, or when family or friends are near.
- Or sayPass away
Kick the bucket: what it is, and what it is not
- IS
- A casual way to say “to die”; also used for a machine that stops working for good.
- IS
- Cambridge labels it informal, and Longman labels it old-fashioned and says it is used humorously.
- IS NOT
- About hitting a bucket with your foot: it means to die.
- DEPENDS
- A Collins entry on Farlex marks it British English, informal or humorous.
- DEPENDS
- American Heritage and McGraw-Hill's dictionary on Farlex call it slang for “to die”.
Meaning: A casual way to say “to die”. Also used for a machine that stops working for good.
How do people say it?
- In conversation:
The old printer is about to kick the bucket, so we should order a new one.
- At work:
Our office printer is going to kick the bucket soon, so please book a repair.
Check yourself
What should I know?
The words say
To hit a bucket with your foot.
It really means
To die. People also say it about a machine that stops working for good.
What do dictionaries say?
- In Australia
- Cambridge labels it informal, and Longman labels it old-fashioned and says it is used humorously. At a sad moment, “died” or “passed away” suits better.
- In the UK
- A Collins entry on Farlex marks it British English, informal or humorous.
- In the US
- American Heritage and McGraw-Hill's dictionary on Farlex call it slang for “to die”.
What mistakes should I avoid?
- Do not use it about a person who has just died, or when family or friends are near. It can hurt.
- Do not use it to make a joke about a real person. Choose “passed away” or “died”, and say that you are sorry.
- Keep the words in order: “kick the bucket”, and in the past “kicked the bucket”. “Kick a bucket” is not the phrase.
This phrase is easy to meet and hard to use well. You will hear it in films, in books and in relaxed talk, and the tone is usually light. That lightness is the problem.
When a real person has died, a casual phrase can sound unkind, even if you do not mean it that way. For this reason, most learners do best to understand the phrase and then choose other words for people.
Machines are a safer place for it. People say that a phone, a car or a fridge has kicked the bucket when it has stopped working and cannot be mended.
In that use the phrase is relaxed and a little humorous, and Longman notes that it is used humorously. If you are not sure whether the mood fits, use the plain verb “stop working” instead.
When you talk with someone who has lost a person, keep the words simple. “I am so sorry for your loss” is clear and kind in every country.
You do not need an idiom, and you do not need to explain. Listen, and let the other person speak.
The same care helps in writing: a card or a short message is better with plain, warm words. If you are ever unsure which word to choose, ask yourself how you would feel if someone said it about a person you love.
What else can I say?
- Pass away Gentle and respectful. Use it when you speak about a person who has died.
- Die Plain and direct. It is the clearest word, and it is not rude.
- Stop working for good A plain way to describe a machine that cannot be mended.
More examples
- In a text:
My laptop is going to kick the bucket any day now. I will back up my files today.
Questions people ask
Is “kick the bucket” rude?
It is not a swear word, but it is very casual and can sound unkind. Use “passed away” when you talk about a real person who has died.
When is it fine to use “kick the bucket”?
In relaxed talk about a machine that has stopped working, or when you meet it in a film or a book. If you are unsure, “died” is a safe, plain word.
What should I say to someone who has lost a person?
Say that you are sorry. “I am so sorry for your loss” is a kind, simple sentence in every country. Avoid idioms at a sad time.
Sources and dates
- EasySay's own writing for the idioms, EasySay. Licence: original writing for EasySay. Checked .
- Cambridge Dictionary: usage labels, Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Licence: our own words, from the facts in the source. Checked .
- Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English: usage labels, Pearson Education. Licence: our own words, from the facts in the source. Checked .
- Collins English Dictionary and COBUILD: usage labels, HarperCollins Publishers. Licence: our own words, from the facts in the source. Checked .
- The Free Dictionary idioms (Farlex): usage labels, Farlex. Licence: our own words, from the facts in the source. Checked .
- American Heritage Dictionary: usage labels, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Licence: our own words, from the facts in the source. Checked .
Cite this page
EasySay. "Kick the bucket". https://easysay.org/idioms/kick-the-bucket. Last updated 23 October 2026.
https://easysay.org/idioms/kick-the-bucket