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kick over the traces

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kick over the traces
Fig. to do what one is meant not to do; to rebel against authority. (Alludes to a horse that steps on the wrong side of the straps that link it to whatever it is pulling.) At the age of sixty, Walter kicked over the traces and ran away to Brazil. All these young kids seem to want to kick over the traces.
See also: kick, trace
kick over the traces  (British & Australian)
to do what you want and not show any respect for authority
Usage notes: Traces are long pieces of leather which join a vehicle to the horse which is pulling it. If a horse kicks over the traces, it kicks its legs over these pieces of leather and goes out of control.
Some kids go straight to university and spend the first year kicking over the traces.
See also: kick, trace
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This can see you wanting to kick over the traces today and be more free spirited.
Your stars by Daily Post (Liverpool, England)
I am not sure Oxx is a man likely to kick over the traces by suddenly starting to take clubbing holidays in Hong Kong - John's ecstasy will continue to come on afternoons such as the one Sea The Stars provided yesterday.
This was most definitely a Derby of real note, won by a colt of the ... by The Racing Post (London, England)
You didn't get to 'break the rules', kick over the traces, sulk in your bedroom, play one boyfriend off against another, flex your emotional muscles or sow your wild oats.
Sex Talk with Alex by Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland)
 
 
 
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