noun
plural bats
[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
Brit :paddle
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
Brit informal :through your own efforts
verb
bats; batted; batting
[+ obj] :to hit (something, such as a ball) with a bat, club, etc., or with your hand
[no obj] :to try to hit a ball with a bat in baseball, cricket, or a similar game
[no obj] 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
noun
plural bats
[count] an animal that has wings and a furry body like a mouse
informal :an unpleasant old woman
bats in the/your belfry
(as) blind as a bat
like a bat out of hell
informal :very quickly
verb
bats; batted; batting
[+ obj] :to close and open (your eyes or eyelashes) very quickly several times especially as a way of flirting
not bat an eye/eyelash
US or Brit not bat an eyelid
informal :to show no surprise, fear, concern, etc.