kicks in
Starts to work
Kicks in means to take effect or begin working.
Medicine kicks in when it starts relieving symptoms; a heater kicks in when it switches on.
The phrase suggests a delay before activation: The caffeine hasn't kicked in yet.
To kick in also means to contribute money or effort: Everyone kicked in twenty bucks for the gift.
- activateCause to function
- triggerWhat initiates action
- spring into actionBegin acting immediately
- surgeSudden powerful increase
- commenceTo set underway
launch · rush · sugar rush · stimulus · initiate · jolt · adrenaline · fight or flight · onset · catalyst · breakthrough · batters · ignition · ripple effect · second wind · take effect · spark · burst