bat away

To hit something so that it moves away from you.

• She batted away a fly.
• The goalkeeper batted the ball away from the goal.
• He kept batting away the insects around his face.

How to use it: bat something away (She batted the fly away with her hand.)

Similar words: knock away, swat away

Common phrases: bat away a ball, bat something away

To avoid discussing a question or criticism by changing the focus of the conversation.

• She batted away the question with a joke.
• The minister batted away criticism and changed the subject.
• He kept batting away our concerns during the meeting.

How to use it: bat something away (The manager batted the question away with a joke.)

Similar words: deflect, brush aside, dodge

Common phrases: bat away questions, bat away criticism

To swing at baseball pitches as you choose, without following the coach’s instructions.

• The coach let him bat away.
• She batted away instead of following the signal to bunt.
• With no instructions from the coach, the hitter batted away.

Similar words: swing freely

Common phrases: bat away freely, let someone bat away

To use any available trick or method to take money from people playing circus games.

• The circus operator batted away at the players.
• He batted away until the customers had no money left.
• The stall owner used every trick to bat away at visitors.

Similar words: fleece

Common phrases: bat away at someone, bat away for money