1 B1 idiomatic informal
To discuss ideas casually and informally without making decisions.
"We kicked a few ideas about at the meeting but didn't settle on anything."
separable
kick about
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To discuss ideas informally without reaching a conclusion; to be left lying around unused; or to be present somewhere without a clear purpose.
In plain English
To talk about ideas in a relaxed way, or to be somewhere without doing anything important.
What does "kick about" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To be lying around somewhere, unused or forgotten.
"There should be a spare charger kicking about in the kitchen drawer."
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
To spend time in a place without a specific purpose; to loiter.
"He's been kicking about town all summer with nothing to do."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To kick a ball around without any particular goal.
Actually means
To talk about ideas in a relaxed way, or to be somewhere without doing anything important.
Usage tip
Primarily British English. 'Kick about' meaning to casually discuss is common in conversation and meetings. The sense of being 'lying around' is often used without a direct object ('it's kicking about somewhere').
Words that pair with "kick about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
idea plan suggestion proposal somewhere around
How to conjugate "kick about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
kick about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
kicks about
he/she/it
Past simple
kicked about
yesterday
Past participle
kicked about
have + pp
-ing form
kicking about
continuous
Hear "kick about" in the wild
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