kick the tires

== English == === Alternative forms === kick the tyres === 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. === Pronunciation === === Verb === kick the tires (third-person singular simple present kicks the tires, present participle kicking the tires, simple past and past participle kicked the tires) (idiomatic, colloquial) To inspect something to ensure it meets expected standards or has favored characteristics, typically before committing to purchasing or otherwise selecting it. Synonyms: kick the wheels, take for a spin, put someone through their paces 2003, Martin Howell, Predators and Profits: 100+ Ways for Investors to Protect Their Nest Eggs, Reuters (2003), →ISBN, page 189 (chapter title): Red Flag 1: When an Analyst Doesn't Kick the Tires or Even Read a Company's Filings To make a superficial assessment of, or a show of interaction with, an item for sale, without any real intent to purchase. (literally, originally) To inspect a vehicle's tires by kicking them to check for defects or poor quality. === See also === kick some tires kick the tires and light the fires showrooming