kick up one's heels
Have carefree fun
To kick up one's heels is to enjoy oneself in a lively, carefree way, often after a period of work or restraint.
The image comes from horses or other animals frolicking with their hind legs in the air.
After finals week, the students were ready to kick up their heels.
The expression suggests uninhibited fun and release from responsibility, though it carries no implication of misbehavior.
Gathering for celebration
- festivityCelebratory occasion or mood
- galaFestive formal occasion
- bashForceful striking blow
- fiestaFestive public celebration
shindig · jubilee · soiree · fete · banquet · reception · hoedown · jamboree
Intense triumphant joy
- gleeExuberant, often impish delight
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
- jubilationIntense, expressive happiness
- delightIntense pleasure or satisfaction
euphoria · bliss · ecstasy · rapture · mirth · merriment · cheerfulness · lightheartedness
Flight from captivity
- releaseTo let go
- unwindRelease accumulated tension
- carefreeFree from anxiety
- spontaneityActing without forethought
abandon · liberation · unburdened · unfettered · unrestrained · free-spirited · untethered · relaxation
party
Gathering for celebration
fiesta · shindig · jubilee · soiree · fete · banquet · reception · hoedown · jamboree · carnival
elation
Intense triumphant joy
- gleeExuberant, often impish delight
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
- jubilationIntense, expressive happiness
delight · euphoria · bliss · ecstasy · rapture · mirth · merriment · cheerfulness · lightheartedness · buoyancy
escape
Flight from captivity
spontaneity · abandon · liberation · unburdened · unfettered · unrestrained · free-spirited · untethered · relaxation · leisure
romp
Playful, spirited activity
prance · lark · skylark · rollick · caper · capriole · antics · escapade · spree · horseplay
ballroom
Venue for formal dances
waltz · tango · salsa · boogie · disco · line-dance · square-dance · polka · two-step · cha-cha
kick up one's heelssit still
Remain motionless and calm
vegetate · stay put · laze about · wilt · languish
kick up one's heelsmope
Sulk in idleness
despair · brood · sulk · grieve · hang one's head
kick up one's heelsbehave oneself
Act with proper conduct
toe the line · keep a low profile · keep a stiff upper lip · hold back · knuckle down
kick, kicks, kicked, kicking, kicker, ones, heel, heels, heeled