1 B2 informal
To hit someone repeatedly with open-handed blows.
"The bully was caught slapping around a younger student in the playground."
separable
slap around
B2 informal separable transitive
To hit someone or something repeatedly with open-handed blows; to treat someone roughly or without respect.
In plain English
To repeatedly hit someone with your open hand, or to treat someone badly and without care.
What does "slap around" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To treat someone dismissively or without respect; to dominate someone easily.
"The experienced debater slapped the newcomer around for twenty minutes in front of the audience."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To slap (hit with an open hand) repeatedly in all directions — essentially literal.
Actually means
To repeatedly hit someone with your open hand, or to treat someone badly and without care.
Usage tip
Can be literal (physical hitting) or figurative (treating someone dismissively). The figurative sense is common in American English. Can carry a tone of bullying or domestic abuse, so use with sensitivity.
Words that pair with "slap around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
bully victim competitor rival contest criticism
How to conjugate "slap around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
slap around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
slaps around
he/she/it
Past simple
slaped around
yesterday
Past participle
slaped around
have + pp
-ing form
slaping around
continuous
Hear "slap around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "slap around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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