kick around
To talk about ideas without deciding anything, or to wander around, or to treat someone unfairly.
Meanings
To discuss ideas informally and without reaching a firm conclusion.
"Let's kick a few ideas around before we commit to a direction."
To spend time wandering in a place without a clear purpose.
"After leaving university, he kicked around Europe for a year before settling in Berlin."
To treat someone poorly, unfairly, or with disrespect.
"He quit because his manager had been kicking him around for months."
To be present somewhere unused or forgotten.
"I think those old keys are kicking around in the garage somewhere."
Very versatile phrasal verb. Common in all varieties of English. In the sense of mistreating someone, it is stronger and more negative. The idea-discussion sense is very common in meetings and planning contexts.
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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