kick-off

Noun

kick-off (plural kick-offs)

1. The opening kick of each half of a game of football.
   • The atmosphere at Upton Park before kick-off reflected the palpable tension surrounding the club right now2011 January 11, Jonathan Stevenson, “West Ham 2 - 1 Birmingham”, in BBC
   • Alcohol consumption following football matches is fuelling domestic abuse in the hours after a game, according to new evidence suggesting that changing kick-off times could help reduce violence.2021 July 4, Michael Savage, “Early kick-offs linked to more alcohol abuse and violence in the home”, in The Observer
2. (broadly) The opening sequence of any event.
   • Duffy, 26, began a campaign for the 9th Suffolk district […] The crowd of approximately 50 people at his kickoff party was overwhelming composed of other young, white gay men.1990 February 4, Laura Briggs, “Gay Republican To Oppose Black Rep”, in Gay Community News, volume 17, number 29, page 3
   • Darbishire glanced at the first manuscript. "This one’s pretty ribby for a kick-off. It’s Binns’ famous effort.”1952, Anthony Buckeridge, Jennings and Darbishire
3. The opening sequence of notes in a song, usually played by the song's main instrument, to indicate the beginning of the song.