Meanings
- idiomaticSaid to demand that the listener take notice of a question or situation just mentioned, especially one that is particularly difficult to solve or explain.
Why can't Jerry and I be together forever like a real couple? Riddle me that, Batman? Society? No. Idiots.
2014, Jason Medina, The Diary of Audrey Malone Frayer, page 1352 more examples
"That too. But it's this: how can a benevolent being let such bad things happen? Terrorism, world hunger, AIDS, people dying too young of cancer. Riddle me that, Batman.”
2009, John C. Stipa, No Greater Sacrifice, page 55"You have no idea what's going on, Melanie," she snarled. "No. Freaking. Clue. I'm going to have to join witness protection, and then where will you be, huh? Riddle me that, Batman!"
2014, Marni Bates, Awkwardly Ever After, page 77Synonyms: riddle me this, Batman
Synonyms & antonyms
phraseSaid to demand that the listener take notice of a question or situation just mentioned, especially one that is particularly difficult to solve or explain.
Origin
From the formulaic phrase riddle me this, additionally referring to the Batman comic book universe, in which the fictional supervillain the Riddler would pose puzzles for Batman to solve (riddle).
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
riddle me that, Batman. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/riddle%20me%20that%2C%20Batman
“riddle me that, Batman.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/riddle%20me%20that%2C%20Batman. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “riddle me that, Batman,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/riddle%20me%20that%2C%20Batman.
Source: riddle me that, Batman on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.