'踢开' (tī kāi) is a compound verb formed by the action verb 踢 (tī, 'to kick') and the directional complement 开 (kāi, 'open/away'). Literally, it means 'to kick open' — describing the physical act of using one's foot to force something closed (like a door, lid, or gate) into an open position. The emphasis is on forceful, sudden motion.

Figuratively, '踢开' frequently carries a strong connotation of abrupt dismissal or rejection — especially in informal or critical contexts. It implies discarding someone or something without ceremony or consideration, often suggesting unfairness or harshness (e.g., firing an employee, abandoning a plan, or sidelining a person). Unlike neutral synonyms like 解雇 (jiěgù, 'to dismiss'), 踢开 adds emotional weight: contempt, impatience, or deliberate exclusion. It’s commonly used in spoken Mandarin and media commentary, but rarely in formal documents or polite speech.