Swat/swɑːt/ Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Physical action Used when describing a quick, usually small, hitting movement by a person. She swatted his hand away as he reached for the cookie. Pro Tip 2/3Common with insects Often used when trying to hit a flying insect like a mosquito or fly. I swatted at the buzzing bees trying to land on my food. Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical use Can be used metaphorically to describe rejecting something annoying or troublesome. He swatted away all my excuses with sound arguments.