Browse all

bat around

B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To talk about ideas or options in a relaxed way without deciding anything yet; to hit something back and forth.

Literal meaning: To bat (strike) something around in a circle or back and forth — the idiomatic leap is to casually tossing ideas around.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To discuss ideas or suggestions informally and without reaching a final decision.

"Let's bat some ideas around before the formal meeting starts."

Grammar: separable
2 A2 neutral

To hit something repeatedly in different directions.

"The kitten was batting the ball of wool around the living room."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal

(Informal) To travel from place to place without a fixed itinerary.

"After graduation, he spent a summer batting around Europe with a backpack."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Common in American English. The 'discuss casually' sense is widely used in business and creative settings. The literal 'hit around' sense is used in sports contexts or when describing a cat playing with a toy. Bat around can also mean to travel without a clear plan (informal).

Commonly used with

ideas options names concepts proposals ball

Forms

Base
bat around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bats around
he/she/it
Past simple
bated around
yesterday
Past participle
bated around
have + pp
-ing form
bating around
continuous

Understand "bat around" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "bat around" on Looplines