British slangBeing on ones-own. Shorter form of playground
jibe 'Billy
Bates, got no mates'. Referring to some imaginary character 'Billy Bates', who is too sad to have any friends.
Can refer to ones-self as 'being on my bates'. In other regions is just referred to as being 'Billy No Mates'
Example1: Look at Malcolm is playing on his own,
arrrr, he's Billy
Bates, got
no mates!
Example2: I'll order a pizza tonight, I'm on my
bates.