1 B2 idiomatic informal
To produce something, especially a piece of writing or creative work, very quickly.
"She batted out a three-page report in under an hour before the deadline."
separable
bat out
B2 informal separable transitive
To produce or complete something quickly, often without great care.
In plain English
To make or write something very fast, like you're hitting it away.
What does "bat out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
In baseball or cricket, to hit the ball out of a specific area or away from fielders.
"He batted the ball out past the boundary for a six."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bat (hit) something out — to knock it outward with force, suggesting rapid dispatch.
Actually means
To make or write something very fast, like you're hitting it away.
Usage tip
Common in informal British and American English. Often implies the output is produced faster than ideal, though not necessarily low quality. Especially used for writing, music, or creative work.
Words that pair with "bat out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
email report song letter article draft
How to conjugate "bat out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bat out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bats out
he/she/it
Past simple
bated out
yesterday
Past participle
bated out
have + pp
-ing form
bating out
continuous
Hear "bat out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bat out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.