Verb

1. To make the first kick in a game or part of a game

   The players kick off for the third quarter and the clock starts.

2. To start; to launch

   Let's kick off this project with a planning meeting.

3. To die or quit permanently (euphemism)

   It's a wonder that old dog hasn't kicked off yet.

4. To shut down or turn off suddenly

   The washer was working fine until it kicked off in the middle of a cycle.

5. To force the weaning of a bovine cow's calf by restricting the calf's access to its mother's udders. Used figuratively or literally.

   A week after we kicked off her calf that cow was still bawling.