alive and kicking

Meaning

This informal expression is used to emphasize that someone or something is still active, healthy, successful, or functioning well, despite expectations to the contrary. It is often used as a reassuring response to questions about health or the status of a project. The tone is cheerful, upbeat, and slightly defiant.

Examples

• Despite the rumors that the business had closed, they are still alive and kicking.

  Despite the rumors that the business had closed, they are still alive and kicking.

• How is your grandfather doing? Oh, he's ninety now and still alive and kicking!

  How is your grandfather doing? Oh, he's ninety now and still alive and kicking!

• Many people thought vinyl records would disappear, but the industry is alive and kicking.

  Many people thought vinyl records would disappear, but the industry is alive and kicking.

• I had a terrible flu last week, but I'm back, alive and kicking.

  I had a terrible flu last week, but I'm back, alive and kicking.

• Our local community theater is alive and kicking thanks to generous donations.

  Our local community theater is alive and kicking thanks to generous donations.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ My business is alive and jumping.

  ✓ My business is alive and kicking.

  The idiom is fixed. You cannot substitute 'kicking' with 'jumping' or 'running' even if they mean similar things.

• ✗ He is alive and kicking, working eighteen hours a day.

  ✓ He is alive and well, working eighteen hours a day.

  While 'alive and kicking' means healthy and active, it has a casual, slightly informal tone. 'Alive and well' is better if you want a more standard, less playful description.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Don't worry about the old car; it's still ___.

  💡 It is still running well despite its age.

  Show answer

  alive and kicking

• I thought your blog was inactive, but I see it is very much ___.

  💡 It is still active and updated.

  Show answer

  alive and kicking