Kick the tyres
verb
To check the condition of something before buying it.
Before buying the used car, she decided to kick the tyres to make sure it was a good deal.
Often appears as...
- kick the tyres and light the fires
- kick the tyres of a new car
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
To see if something is suitable or not.
Management wants to kick the tyres of the new software before implementing it.
Often appears as...
- kick the tyres of the new system
- kick the tyres before making a decision
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To check the condition of something before buying it.
Before buying the used car, she decided to kick the tyres to make sure it was a good deal.
Often appears as...
- kick the tyres and light the fires
- kick the tyres of a new car
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
To see if something is suitable or not.
Management wants to kick the tyres of the new software before implementing it.
Often appears as...
- kick the tyres of the new system
- kick the tyres before making a decision
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Try Before Buy
It emphasizes doing a practical test of something, like 'try before you buy', not just looking.
I always kick the tyres when purchasing tech gadgets.
Pro Tip 2/3Action Needed
The phrase suggests you need to do some action, not just think or talk about the choice.
You can't just look; kick the tyres to see if it's worth it.
Pro Tip 3/3Casual Inspection
The phrase often implies a casual or informal check, not a detailed examination.
He kicked the tyres of the boat quickly before the sale.
Pro Tip 1/3Try Before Buy
It emphasizes doing a practical test of something, like 'try before you buy', not just looking.
I always kick the tyres when purchasing tech gadgets.
Pro Tip 2/3Action Needed
The phrase suggests you need to do some action, not just think or talk about the choice.
You can't just look; kick the tyres to see if it's worth it.
Pro Tip 3/3Casual Inspection
The phrase often implies a casual or informal check, not a detailed examination.
He kicked the tyres of the boat quickly before the sale.
Pro Tip 1/3Try Before Buy
It emphasizes doing a practical test of something, like 'try before you buy', not just looking.
I always kick the tyres when purchasing tech gadgets.
Pro Tip 2/3Action Needed
The phrase suggests you need to do some action, not just think or talk about the choice.
You can't just look; kick the tyres to see if it's worth it.
Pro Tip 3/3Casual Inspection
The phrase often implies a casual or informal check, not a detailed examination.
He kicked the tyres of the boat quickly before the sale.
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