What Does “kick sth around” Mean?
“Kick sth around” means to discuss or think about an idea or plan in an informal way before making a decision.
Introduction
The phrase “kick sth around” is a common English phrasal verb used in everyday conversations. It often refers to casually discussing or considering something, usually ideas, plans, or problems. When you “kick something around,” you are not making a final decision but exploring different options or opinions. Understanding the kick sth around meaning will help you sound more natural when talking about brainstorming or informal discussions. This phrase is widely used in both spoken and written English, especially in business meetings, casual talks, and even problem-solving situations.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: kick something around
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to discuss or think about something informally
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Kick sth around” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning you can place the object between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- kick something around
- kick around something
Both forms are correct, but “kick something around” is more common in spoken English.
How to Use “kick sth around”?
Use this phrase when you want to talk about discussing ideas or plans in an informal, relaxed way. It often implies that the discussion is preliminary or exploratory. You can use it in various contexts such as meetings, casual conversations, or brainstorming sessions.
Examples of contexts include:
- Talking about new project ideas at work
- Discussing weekend plans with friends
- Considering solutions to a problem
Examples
When we first started the project, we kicked several ideas around before choosing the best one.
- Let’s kick around some ideas for the party this weekend.
- We’ve been kicking this plan around for weeks, but we still need more details.
- Before making a decision, they kicked the proposal around in the meeting.
- She kicked the idea around with her team to get feedback.
Here, “kick sth around” means to talk about or think about something in a relaxed way.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse “kick sth around” with more literal meanings of “kick.” Also, it should not be used for physical kicking or hitting.
- Incorrect: I kicked the idea around the room.
- Correct: I kicked the idea around with my colleagues.
- Incorrect: Let’s kick the ball around the meeting.
- Correct: Let’s kick around some ideas in the meeting.
Remember, “kick sth around” is about discussion, not physical action.
Differences / Synonyms
The phrase “kick sth around” is similar to “think over,” “talk over,” or “brainstorm,” but there are slight differences.
- Kick sth around – informal, casual discussion or consideration.
- Think over – more formal, to carefully consider something.
- Talk over – discuss something, often to reach a decision.
- Brainstorm – generate many ideas quickly, usually in a group.
For example, you might “kick an idea around” before “brainstorming” more detailed solutions.
Common Collocations
When using “kick sth around,” certain objects commonly appear:
- Ideas: To discuss different ideas informally.
- Plans: To consider or talk about plans without finalizing.
- Proposals: To review or think about proposals casually.
- Options: To explore different choices or options.
- Thoughts: To share or consider thoughts about a topic.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of kick sth around:
Real-life Dialogue
Here’s a natural conversation using “kick sth around”:
Anna: We need to improve our marketing strategy. Any ideas?
Ben: Why don’t we kick some ideas around during lunch?
Anna: Great! It’s always easier to brainstorm when we’re relaxed.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “kick sth around”:
- We should ________ a few ideas before deciding.
- They have been ________ the proposal for several days.
- Let’s ________ this plan ________ in the next meeting.
- Can we ________ some options before choosing?
FAQs
- What does “kick sth around” mean? It means to discuss or think about something informally.
- Is “kick sth around” formal or informal? It is informal and used mainly in casual conversations.
- Can “kick sth around” be used in writing? Yes, it can be used in informal writing like emails or blogs.
- Is “kick sth around” separable? Yes, you can place the object between “kick” and “around” or after “around.”
- What are some synonyms for “kick sth around”? Synonyms include “think over,” “talk over,” and “brainstorm.”
