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kick the tires

To inspect something to ensure it meets expected standards or has favored characteristics, typically before committing to purchasing or otherwise selecting it.

Etymology:

  • Early 20th century. Tires on early automobiles were made of thin rubber and were sometimes of poor quality, hence a prospective buyer might kick them to see how thick they were or if they would deflate.
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Submitted on July 07, 2010

Additional definitions for 'kick the tires':

kick the tiresTo inspect a vehicle's tires by kicking them to check for defects or poor quality.
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    "kick the tires." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/kick-the-tires_13325>.

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