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."
separable
bat around
B1 informal separable transitive
To discuss ideas casually and informally; to knock something back and forth.
In plain English
To talk about ideas or options in a relaxed way without deciding anything yet; to hit something back and forth.
What does "bat around" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To hit something repeatedly in different directions.
"The kitten was batting the ball of wool around the living room."
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."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bat (strike) something around in a circle or back and forth — the idiomatic leap is to casually tossing ideas around.
Actually means
To talk about ideas or options in a relaxed way without deciding anything yet; to hit something back and forth.
Usage tip
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).
Words that pair with "bat around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
ideas options names concepts proposals ball
How to conjugate "bat around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "bat around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bat around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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