- 1[transitive] beat somebody (at something) to defeat someone in a game or competition He beat me at chess. Their recent wins have proved they're still the ones to beat (= the most difficult team to beat).
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control - 2[transitive] beat something to get control of something synonym defeat The government's main aim is to beat inflation.
- 3[transitive] to be too difficult for someone synonym defeat beat somebody a problem that beats even the experts beat somebody why, how, etc… It beats me (= I don't know) why he did it. What beats me is how it was done so quickly (= I don't understand how). be better
- 4[transitive] beat something to do or be better than something Nothing beats home cooking. You can't beat Italian shoes. They want to beat the speed record (= go faster than anyone before). avoid
- 5[transitive] beat something to avoid something If we go early, we should beat the traffic. We were up and off early to beat the heat. hit
- 6[intransitive, transitive] to hit someone or something many times, usually very hard + adv./prep. Somebody was beating at the door. Hailstones beat against the window. beat something Someone was beating a drum. beat something + adv./prep. She was beating dust out of the carpet (= removing dust from the carpet by beating it). beat somebody At that time children were regularly beaten for minor offenses (= a punishment). beat somebody + adv./prep. An elderly man was found beaten to death. The prisoners were beaten into submission (= they were beaten until they did what was wanted). beat somebody + adj. They beat him unconscious (= hit him until he became unconscious). of heart/drums/wings
- 7[intransitive, transitive] to make, or cause something to make, a regular sound or movement She's alive—her heart is still beating. We heard the drums beating. The bird was beating its wings (= moving them up and down) frantically.
- 8[transitive] to mix something with short, quick movements with a fork, etc. beat something (up) Beat the eggs up to a frothy consistency. beat A and B together Beat the flour and milk together. shape metal
- 9[transitive] to change the shape of something, especially metal, by hitting it with a hammer, etc. beat something (out) (into something) beaten silver The gold is beaten out into thin strips. beat something + adj. The metal had been beaten flat. make path
- 10[transitive] beat something (through, across, along, etc. something) to make a path, etc. by walking somewhere, or by pressing branches down and walking over them a well-beaten track (= one that has been worn hard by much use) The hunters beat a path through the undergrowth. Thesaurusbeat
- batter
- pound
- lash
- hammer
- beat to hit someone or something many times, especially very hard:Someone was beating at the door. A young man was found beaten to death last night. At that time, children were often beaten for quite minor offenses (= as a punishment).
- batter to hit someone or something hard many times, especially in a way that causes serious damage:He was badly battered about the head and face. Severe winds are battering the coast.
- pound to hit someone or something hard many times, especially in a way that makes a lot of noise:Heavy rain pounded on the roof. She pounded on the table with her fist.
- lash to hit someone or something with great force:The rain lashed at the window. The subject of lash is often rain, wind, hail, sea, or waves.
- hammer to hit someone or something hard many times, in a way that is noisy or violent:He hammered at the lock, but it would not open. (figurative)She hammered him with difficult questions.
- There is not much difference in meaning between these two, but to pound is sometimes a steadier action. To hammer can be more violent and it is often used figuratively.
- to beat/batter/pound/lash/hammer somebody/something with something
- to beat/batter/pound/lash/hammer against something
- to beat/batter/pound/hammer on something
- to beat/batter/hammer something down
- the rain/wind/sea beats/batters/pounds/lashes (at) something
verb jump to other results
NAmE//bit//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they beat he / she / it beats
past simple beat
past participle beaten
-ing form beating
to talk about something for a long time without coming to the main point Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you want.
to defeat or do better than someone in an activity which they have chosen or in which they think they are strong
to think very hard about something for a long time I've been beating my brains out all weekend to get this script written.
to show that you feel sorry about something that you have done, especially in public and in an exaggerated way
to finish a task, race, etc. before a particular time
to hit someone very hard several times and hurt them very much Get out or I'll beat the living daylights out of you!
to waste your effort by trying to do something that is no longer possible
to speak with enthusiasm in support of someone or something She's really banging the drum for the new system.
beat/kick (the) hell out of somebody/something, knock hell out of somebody/something (informal) jump to other results
(usually used in orders) to go away immediately This is private land, so beat it!
if a lot of people beat a path to someone's door, they are all interested in something that person has to sell, or can do or tell them Top theatrical agents are beating a path to the teenager's door.
to escape without being punished
to go away or back quickly, especially to avoid something unpleasant
to mark or follow the rhythm of music, by waving a stick, tapping your foot, etc. She beat time with her fingers.
to get or do something before someone else can
(to hit someone until they are) covered with bruises (= blue, brown, or purple marks on the body)
used to express surprise or anger
if you cannot defeat someone or be as successful as they are, then it is more sensible to join them in what they are doing and perhaps get some advantage for yourself by doing so
far away from other people, houses, etc. They live miles off the beaten track.
a fact, an argument, etc. that is used in order to blame or punish someone
to be difficult to beat That score is going to take some beating. For sheer luxury, this hotel takes some beating. Phrasal Verbsbeat downbeat offbeat onbeat outbeat out ofbeat tobeat upbeat up on
Check pronunciation: beat