bat the breeze
An American idiom meaning to chat casually, make small talk, or pass time in relaxed conversation — a variant of the more common 'shoot the breeze.' The 'bat' version suggests the back-and-forth of conversation, like batting something leisurely in the air.
Definitions
An American idiom meaning to chat casually, make small talk, or pass time in relaxed conversation — a variant of the more common 'shoot the breeze.' The 'bat' version suggests the back-and-forth of conversation, like batting something leisurely in the air. It implies an unhurried, aimless exchange where no one is working toward a particular point — just enjoying the social act of talking. Common in mid-20th century American vernacular, it sounds slightly dated but remains intelligible.
We sat on the porch for a good hour just batting the breeze about nothing in particular.
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(idiomatic, US) To chat; to shoot the breeze.
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