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kick around
kick someone or something around
1. Lit. to strike someone, something, or some animal with the foot repeatedly. Billy is out in the alley kicking a can around. Stop kicking that dog around!
2. Fig. to treat someone or something badly. I finally quit my job. My boss wouldn't stop kicking me around. Stop kicking my car around. It does everything I need a car to do.
kick something around
1. Lit. to move something around by kicking it, as in play. Kick the ball around awhile and then try to make a goal. The boys kicked a can around, making a lot of noise. Don't kick around all the dirt. You'll make a mess.
2. . Fig. to discuss something; to chat about an idea. We got together and kicked her idea around. Fred and Bob kicked around some plots for a new movie.
kick around
to exist She is one of the most creative people kicking around advertising today.
kick somebody around
also kick around somebody to treat someone badly When his boss didn't promote him, he felt as if he'd been kicked around long enough, and he finally quit. He represents every big guy that's ever kicked around a little guy.
kick something around
also kick around something to discuss something I don't know who will be on the committee, but we've kicked a lot of names around. Black intellectuals have been kicking around the idea since the beginning of the twentieth century.
kick around
1. Treat badly, abuse, as in I'm sick and tired of being kicked around by my supervisor. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
2. Also, kick about. Move from place to place, as in They spent three years kicking around the country on their bikes, or We've no address; we're just kicking about until we find somewhere to settle. [Colloquial; early 1800s]
3. Also, kick about. Consider, think about or discuss; examine or try out. For example, Let's kick this scenario around for a while and see what we come up with, or We've been kicking about various schemes to make money. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
4. Be available or unused, as in This old computer has been kicking around for months-no one seems to want it. [c. 1900]
kick around
v.1. To kick something back and forth casually: The players warmed up by kicking the ball around. The children kicked around a soccer ball on the playground.
2. To move from place to place casually or occasionally, usually within some region or place: Those old books have been kicking around the house for years.
3. To give thought or consideration to something; ponder or discuss something: We've been kicking around the names that you gave us, but none seems appropriate for the position. Chris and I have kicked the idea around, and we both agree that we should buy a new car.
4. To hassle or bully someone: Don't let your colleagues kick you around—stand up for yourself! The seniors are always kicking around the younger kids.
5. Slang To continue to be alive or active: My grandfather is still kicking around at the age of 80.