Definition

1. Verb (phrasal verb):
   • To discuss (an idea, topic, or proposal) in an informal, non-serious, or preliminary way: To consider or talk about something without a firm commitment or deep analysis.
   • To treat someone badly or unfairly; to abuse or bully: To have someone available to be mistreated, criticized, or taken advantage of.
   • To be present or in existence; to be alive or active in a place: To spend time in a place with no specific purpose or to remain in existence.

Usage Examples

• Discussing lightly:
  • Let's kick around some ideas for the new project before the formal meeting.
  • We kicked around the possibility of moving to a new city but made no decision.
• Treating badly:
  • He felt like his boss just liked to have him around to kick around.
  • The famous quote "They won't have me to kick around any more!" signaled his exit from politics.
• Being around/alive:
  • I heard that old guitar is still kicking around in the attic somewhere.
  • Does your uncle still kick around the old neighborhood?

Advanced Usage

• "To be kicked around" (passive voice): Often used to describe ideas being discussed or people being mistreated.
  • The proposal has been kicked around the committee for months without any action.
  • She was tired of being kicked around by her so-called friends.

Variants and Related Words

• Kick (verb): To strike with the foot. This is the base verb from which the phrasal verb is derived.
• Bandied around (verb phrase): A near-synonym for the "discuss lightly" meaning, implying an informal exchange of ideas.

Synonyms

• For "discuss lightly": Bandy about, toss around, bat around, mull over.
• For "treat badly": Mistreat, abuse, bully, push around, maltreat.
• For "be around": Linger, remain, survive, exist, hang about.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Kick about: This is a less common British English variant with the same meanings as "kick around."
  • We were just kicking about a few concepts for the advert.
• Kick off: To start or begin, often an event or discussion (different meaning).
  • The meeting will kick off at 9 AM.

Related Idioms

• "To be alive and kicking": To be active and in good health. This idiom shares the "alive/active" sense with one meaning of "kick around."
  • Don't worry about him; he retired but he's still alive and kicking.
• "A kicking" (noun): A severe defeat or instance of being treated badly.
  • The team took a real kicking in the press after their loss. (This relates to the "mistreat" sense).

Verb

1. discuss lightly
   • We bandied around these difficult questions
2. treat badly; abuse
   • They won't have me to kick around any more!
3. be around; be alive or active
   • Does the old man still kick around?