What Does “Kick around sth” Mean?
“Kick around sth” means to discuss or think about an idea or plan casually, often before making a decision.
Introduction
The phrase “kick around sth” is a common English phrasal verb used in informal conversations. It means to casually discuss or think about a topic, idea, or plan without any immediate decision. People often use it when brainstorming or considering options. Understanding the “kick around sth meaning” helps learners use this expression naturally in daily talks, meetings, or casual chats. Whether you are talking about a new project or a simple suggestion, “kick around sth” fits perfectly when you want to share ideas or explore possibilities with others.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: kick around sth (kick around something)
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to discuss or think about something casually
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Kick around sth” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object either between “kick” and “around” or after the whole phrase.
- kick around something
- kick something around
Both forms are correct and commonly used. For example: “We need to kick around the idea” or “We need to kick the idea around.”
How to Use “Kick around sth”?
Use “kick around sth” when you want to talk about discussing or thinking about an idea or plan informally. It is often used in meetings, casual conversations, or brainstorming sessions. You can use it with nouns like “ideas,” “plans,” “thoughts,” or “proposals.”
Examples
Here are some natural examples to help you understand how to use “kick around sth in a sentence”:
- We kicked around the idea of starting a new business last night.
- Before making a decision, let’s kick the plan around a bit more.
- They have been kicking around different options for the project.
- It’s good to kick around some ideas before finalizing the report.
- We should kick around the proposal with the team first.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “kick around sth” with similar phrases or use it incorrectly. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: Let’s kick about the idea.
Correct: Let’s kick around the idea. - Incorrect: I kicked around with the idea.
Correct: I kicked the idea around. - Incorrect: They kick around to the plan.
Correct: They kicked around the plan.
Remember, “kick around” must be followed by a noun (something) to be correct.
Differences / Synonyms
“Kick around sth” is similar to phrases like “think over,” “discuss,” or “brainstorm,” but there are subtle differences. “Kick around sth” implies a casual, informal discussion or thought process, often without immediate decisions.
- Think over: more formal and implies careful consideration.
- Discuss: more formal and direct conversation.
- Brainstorm: focused on generating new ideas.
For example, you might “kick around ideas” casually before a formal “brainstorm” session.
Common Collocations
Here are some common objects used with “kick around” and their meanings:
- Idea: a thought or suggestion to be discussed.
- Plan: a proposed course of action.
- Proposal: a formal suggestion.
- Thoughts: opinions or considerations.
- Options: different possibilities or choices.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of kick around sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation demonstrating how to use “kick around sth”:
Anna: Have you thought about the new marketing strategy?
Ben: Not yet, but we should kick around some ideas in the meeting tomorrow.
Anna: Good idea. It’s better to kick the options around before deciding.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “kick around sth”:
- We need to ________ the proposal before the presentation.
- Let’s ________ some ideas for the event.
- They have been ________ different plans all week.
Answers: kick around, kick around, kicking around
FAQs
- What does “kick around sth” mean?
It means to discuss or think about something casually.
- Is “kick around sth” formal or informal?
It is an informal phrasal verb.
- Can I separate “kick around” with the object?
Yes, you can say “kick around the idea” or “kick the idea around.”
- What are some synonyms for “kick around sth”?
Discuss, brainstorm, think over.
- Can “kick around” be used without an object?
No, it needs an object to make sense.
