off one’s own bat—(coll.)
1. by one’s own efforts:
- I felt that I’d like to get some money off my own bat.
2. on one’s own initiative:
- Don’t think I’m being nosey, but you never tell me anything off your own bat.
off the bat—(coll.) on the spot; right away:
- McGowan was also striving to catch the bright smiles tossed about by Rosy. He picked them off the bat.