1 B2 informal
To handle or treat something roughly, causing damage through careless hitting or bumping.
"The removal men bashed the furniture about so badly that two chairs were broken."
separable
bash about
B2 informal separable transitive
To treat someone or something roughly, hitting or knocking them in various directions.
In plain English
To hit or knock something or someone around carelessly and roughly.
What does "bash about" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 informal
To hit or knock a person around, to treat someone physically roughly.
"He claimed the bullies had been bashing him about after school."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Transparent — to hit (bash) something in various directions (about).
Actually means
To hit or knock something or someone around carelessly and roughly.
Usage tip
Chiefly British English. Can refer to both physical rough handling of objects and mistreating people. Often implies repeated careless blows or bumps rather than one deliberate hit.
Words that pair with "bash about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
equipment luggage furniture person toy property
How to conjugate "bash about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bash about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bashes about
he/she/it
Past simple
bashed about
yesterday
Past participle
bashed about
have + pp
-ing form
bashing about
continuous
Hear "bash about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bash about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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