bat around

bat around

1. To push an object around playfully. The cat has been batting around that toy for at least an hour.
2. To strike repeatedly. If I see my neighbor batting around his pets, I will call the police. I was small in high school, so I got batted around a bit, but I eventually learned to stand up for myself.
3. To exchange and contemplate ideas or suggestions. We did bat around other ideas, but that's the slogan we liked the best.
4. To wander aimlessly. I doubt he has a job—he's been batting around out West for a while.
5. In baseball, to reach a team's first batter again in a single inning (because all of the team's batters have already batted in the inning). A: "It's still the top of the third inning?" B: "Yeah, the Cubs have batted around."
See also: around, bat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

bat something around

 
1. Lit. to knock something around with a bat or something similar. Terry spent a little time batting a ball around, then he went home. Let's bat around some balls before we go home.
2. Fig. to discuss something back and forth. Let's bat this around a little bit tomorrow at our meeting. Do you want to bat around this matter a little more?
See also: around, bat
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

bat around

1. Hit something around, often with a baseball bat or other object, as in We batted the tennis ball around this morning. Originating in baseball, this term came to be applied to more violent action as well, as in Jerry left after being batted around by his father. [Slang; first half of 1900s]
2. Discuss or debate something, as in We batted the various plans around for at least an hour before we came to a decision. This usage transfers batting a ball to a back-and-forth exchange of ideas. [Slang; late 1800s]
3. Drift aimlessly, roam, as in After graduating, they batted around Europe for a year. [Slang; c. 1900]
See also: around, bat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

bat around

v.
1. To knock something around with or as if with a bat, hand, or similar object: We batted around some baseballs at the park. The cat batted the squeaky toy around the entire afternoon.
2. To discuss something back and forth in order to come to a decision: They batted around ideas all night before they made up their minds. We batted a few names around when thinking about nominees.
See also: around, bat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • get (someone) around the table
  • get around the table
  • find way around
  • around (one's) ears
  • bomb around
  • go around and around
  • gaze around
  • gaze around at (someone or something)
  • feel around
  • feel around (for someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
But in came Gul and he not only steadied the innings but ended up playing a vital and match-winning unbeaten knock of 51 which came from 41 balls and contained three fours.Gopal Jasapara threw his bat around in the closing stages to collect 15 crucial runs from 13 balls as Old Hawks posted 134 for 7 in 25 overs.
Azhar Gul steers Old Hawks to Big 40 title
We know we want consistency and it's nice to have someone we can bat around. There will be wickets that suit him more and that was the really pleasing thing for me, the way he worked those partnerships with those guys.
IPL: Glenn Maxwell leaves skipper George Bailey awestruck
Richard Potts, prosecuting, said Carroll, who admitted affray, was "waving a baseball bat around" although he did not assault anyone.
Go directly to jail...do not collect pounds 9.7m; Lotto lout locked up for bat rumpus
One stood at the door while Beeres, who had his face covered with a scarf, waved a baseball bat around demanding cash.
Baseball bat raider jailed; MAN TO SERVE FOUR YEARS FOR CRIMES
Towards the end, wicketkeeper Alex Davies threw his bat around for Lancashire with the equation reading a daunting 53 off 18 balls and the 100 not coming up until the 18th over.
2014 Emirates Airline Twenty20: Captain's knock from Michael Yardy helps Sussex beat Lancashire in first semi-final
The report said that Broad sparked controversy at Trent Bridge when he refused to walk after nicking a ball to first slip and on the next day, triumphantly waved his bat around the ground when he finally walked off, dismissed for what could be a match-saving 65.
'Fiery' Broad learnt to play 'like an Australian' while facing abuse as a teen
Warwickshire captain Michael Powell confirmed Bell was batting to orders to try to haul the team out of trouble and then allow others to bat around him.
CRICKET: Warwicks skipper salutes bonny Bell; SPOTLIGHT ON THE BENSON AND HEDGES CUP
I am yet to see Sachin throw the bat around even when given out wrongly.
'Humble' Tendulkar on verge of striking 100th international century
Player-of-the-Match Atkins said: "I wouldn't call my innings a fluent one, but our bowlers took all the pressure off us, so I was able to scratch around and bat around the two good batters.
England score easy nine-wicket win over India
"We run training session for the ladies on Wednesdays from 6pm to 8pm, and they can join the team or just have an enjoyable bat around.
STUMPED... We've run out of ladies! SPORT: Women's cricket team could be hit for six if more players aren't found
This quirky toy will give your cat hours of fun with a soft crab to bat around and swinging toys suspended from a stuffed palm tree.
WIN a Paradise play mat for your cat
"Andrew Strauss looks in form from the Netherlands game and we bat around Jonathan Trott scoring at a run a ball.
Pietersen crucial for England's World Cup clash against India at Bangalore: Broad