kick around

To discuss ideas or possibilities in a relaxed way before deciding what to do.

• Let us kick around some ideas.
• They kicked the plan around for an hour.
• Have you kicked around any possible names?

How to use it: kick something around (We kicked the proposal around over lunch.)

Similar words: discuss, consider, toss around

Common phrases: kick around ideas, kick something around

To be somewhere without much purpose, or remain there unused or forgotten.

• An old radio was kicking around upstairs.
• He kicked around town all afternoon.
• Do you have any spare batteries kicking around?

How to use it: kick around + place (That spare cable has been kicking around the office for months.)

Similar words: hang around, lie around

Common phrases: kick around somewhere, kick around the house

To treat a person badly or handle an object roughly.

• Do not let them kick you around.
• That case can survive being kicked around.
• His old boss kicked him around for years.

How to use it: kick someone/something around (They treated him like someone they could kick around.)

Similar words: mistreat, bully, push around

Common phrases: kick someone around, kick something around

A relaxed game of football or a similar sport, usually played for fun.

• We had a kick around in the park.
• Fancy a kick around after school?
• The team enjoyed a relaxed kick around before lunch.

Similar words: kickabout

Common phrases: a kick around, friendly kick around