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.