bandied around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bandied around" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of casually discussing or circulating an idea, rumor, or piece of information among people. Example: "The proposal for a new office layout has been bandied around in meetings for weeks, but no final decision has been made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Extremely serious allegations have been bandied around like confetti.

Independent

"It was something he bandied around," Felix Martin said.

The New Yorker

Numbers have been bandied around by both sides.

The Guardian

Words like "scandal" are too easily bandied around, but they fit these stories.

The Guardian - Opinion

The word seminal gets bandied around, but De La Soul were exactly that.

The Guardian - Music

There are a lot of names being bandied around, great England captains like Strauss and Vaughan.

BBC

He cannot go on forever though, and various names have been bandied around as potential replacements.

BBC

Even before Houllier's departure was confirmed, Mark Hughes's name had been bandied around, and less than 24 hours after Houllier left his post, so did Hughes.

BBC

Ambition is a word bandied around fairly liberally these days.

Vice

Not just a term bandied around by the only kid that took Latin in Year 12.

Vice

I was a model back when bust-waist-hip measurements were bandied around like batting averages on baseball trading cards.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bandied around", ensure the context implies a degree of casualness or lack of seriousness in the discussion. Avoid using it when describing formal or sensitive topics.

Common error

Don't use "bandied around" in formal writing or when discussing serious matters, as it implies a lack of gravity. Choose a more appropriate term like "discussed" or "circulated" in professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bandied around" functions as a verb phrase, often used in the passive voice to indicate that something (e.g., a name, an idea, a rumor) has been discussed casually or circulated widely, sometimes without due consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bandied around" is a verb phrase indicating that something has been casually discussed or circulated. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal tone. While grammatically correct, it should be avoided in highly formal settings. Alternatives include "circulated widely" or "widely discussed". Remember to use it when you want to convey a sense of informality or a lack of serious consideration in a discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely discussed

Emphasizes the extensive discussion of a topic.

circulated widely

Focuses on the extensive spread of information.

aired publicly

Emphasizes the open and public nature of the discussion.

thrown about

Implies a less formal and potentially careless manner of discussion.

made the rounds

Implies a widespread dissemination of information within a specific group or community.

passed around

Suggests a physical or metaphorical passing of information from one person to another.

kicked around

Suggests a preliminary or exploratory discussion of ideas.

freely mentioned

Indicates that something is being openly and casually talked about.

casually mentioned

Highlights the informal nature of the discussion.

been rumored

Focuses on the circulation of unconfirmed information.

FAQs

What does "bandied around" mean?

"Bandied around" means that something, like a rumour or idea, is being discussed casually and often without serious consideration.

What can I say instead of "bandied around"?

You can use alternatives like "circulated widely", "widely discussed", or "thrown about" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "bandied around" in formal writing?

No, "bandied around" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or less formal writing. In formal writing, opt for more professional alternatives such as "discussed" or "circulated".

What is the difference between "bandied around" and "discussed"?

"Bandied around" suggests a casual, perhaps even frivolous, discussion, while "discussed" is more neutral and implies a more serious and considered conversation. Use "discussed" when formality is needed.