An Encylopedia Britannica Company

bat

1 bat /ˈbæt/ noun
plural bats
1 bat
/ˈbæt/
noun
plural bats
Britannica Dictionary definition of BAT
[count]
: a long rounded stick that is used to hit the ball in baseball
: a long flattened stick that is used to hit the ball in cricket

at bat

baseball
used to describe the player or team that is batting
: the act of batting

go to bat

baseball
: to be the player or team that is batting

go to bat for

US, informal
: to try to help, support, or defend (someone or something) in an active way

off the bat

chiefly US, informal
: without any delay : immediately usually used with right

off your own bat

British, informal
: through your own efforts
compare 3bat
2 bat /ˈbæt/ verb
bats; batted; batting
2 bat
/ˈbæt/
verb
bats; batted; batting
Britannica Dictionary definition of BAT
[+ object] : to hit (something, such as a ball) with a bat, club, etc., or with your hand
[no object] : to try to hit a ball with a bat in baseball, cricket, or a similar game
[no object] baseball : to have a specified batting average
◊ In figurative use, to bat a thousand is to succeed in every attempt. This is an informal phrase that is used chiefly in U.S. English.

bat around

[phrasal verb]
bat (something) around or bat around (something) informal
: to think about or talk about (something, such as an idea) for a period of time

bat in

[phrasal verb]
bat in (a run) also bat (a run) in baseball
: to hit the ball in a way that makes it possible for a run to score
compare 4bat

— batting

adjective, always used before a noun
3 bat /ˈbæt/ noun
plural bats
3 bat
/ˈbæt/
noun
plural bats
Britannica Dictionary definition of BAT
[count]
: an animal that has wings and a furry body like a mouse
informal : an unpleasant old woman

bats in the/your belfry

see belfry

(as) blind as a bat

see 1blind

like a bat out of hell

informal
: very quickly
compare 1bat
4 bat /ˈbæt/ verb
bats; batted; batting
4 bat
/ˈbæt/
verb
bats; batted; batting
Britannica Dictionary definition of BAT
[+ object]
: to close and open (your eyes or eyelashes) very quickly several times especially as a way of flirting

not bat an eye/eyelash

(US) informal or British not bat an eyelid
: to show no surprise, fear, concern, etc.
compare 2bat