What Does โKick around sthโ Mean?
โKick around sthโ means to discuss or think about an idea or plan casually, often before making a decision.
Introduction
The phrase โkick around sthโ 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 โkick around sth meaningโ 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, โkick around sthโ 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)
โKick around sthโ is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object either between โkickโ and โaroundโ or after the whole phrase.
- kick around something
- kick something around
Both forms are correct and commonly used. For example: โWe need to kick around the ideaโ or โWe need to kick the idea around.โ
How to Use โKick around sthโ?
Use โkick around sthโ 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 โideas,โ โplans,โ โthoughts,โ or โproposals.โ
Examples
Here are some natural examples to help you understand how to use โkick around sth in a sentenceโ:
- We kicked around the idea of starting a new business last night.
- Before making a decision, letโs kick the plan around a bit more.
- They have been kicking around different options for the project.
- Itโs 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 โkick around sthโ with similar phrases or use it incorrectly. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: Letโs kick about the idea.
Correct: Letโs 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, โkick aroundโ must be followed by a noun (something) to be correct.
Differences / Synonyms
โKick around sthโ is similar to phrases like โthink over,โ โdiscuss,โ or โbrainstorm,โ but there are subtle differences. โKick around sthโ 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 โkick around ideasโ casually before a formal โbrainstormโ session.
Common Collocations
Here are some common objects used with โkick aroundโ 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 โkick around sthโ:
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. Itโs better to kick the options around before deciding.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of โkick around sthโ:
- We need to ________ the proposal before the presentation.
- Letโs ________ some ideas for the event.
- They have been ________ different plans all week.
Answers: kick around, kick around, kicking around
FAQs
- What does โkick around sthโ mean?
It means to discuss or think about something casually.
- Is โkick around sthโ formal or informal?
It is an informal phrasal verb.
- Can I separate โkick aroundโ with the object?
Yes, you can say โkick around the ideaโ or โkick the idea around.โ
- What are some synonyms for โkick around sthโ?
Discuss, brainstorm, think over.
- Can โkick aroundโ be used without an object?
No, it needs an object to make sense.
