1
general::
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]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): 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?
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs