beat

¹beat

verb \ˈbēt\

beatbeat·en\ˈbē-t^ən\ or beatbeat·ing

Definition of BEAT

transitive verb

1

: to strike repeatedly: a : to hit repeatedly so as to inflict pain —often used with up b : to walk on : tread <beat the pavement looking for work> c : to strike directly against forcefully and repeatedly : dash against d : to flap or thrash at vigorously e : to strike at in order to rouse game; also : to range over in or as if in quest of game f : to mix by stirring : whip —often used with up g : to strike repeatedly in order to produce music or a signal <beat a drum>

2

a : to drive or force by blows <beat back his attackers> b : to pound into a powder, paste, or pulp c : to make by repeated treading or driving over <beat a path> d (1) : to dislodge by repeated hitting <beat dust from the carpet> (2) : to lodge securely by repeated striking <beat a stake into the ground> e : to shape by beating <beat swords into plowshares>; especially : to flatten thin by blows f : to sound or express especially by drumbeat

3

: to cause to strike or flap repeatedly <a bird beating its wings>

4

a : overcome, defeat; also : surpass —often used with out b : to prevail despite <beat the odds> c : bewilder, baffle <it beats me how she does it> d (1) : fatigue, exhaust (2) : to leave dispirited, irresolute, or hopeless e : cheat, swindle

5

a (1) : to act ahead of usually so as to forestall (2) : to report a news item in advance of b : to come or arrive before c : circumvent <beat the system> d : to outmaneuver (a defender) and get free e : to score against (a goalkeeper)

6

: to indicate by beating <beat the tempo>

intransitive verb

1

a : to become forcefully impelled : dash b : to glare or strike with oppressive intensity c : to sustain distracting activity d : to beat a drum

2

a (1) : pulsate, throb (2) : tick b : to sound upon being struck

3

a : to strike repeated blows <beating on the door> b : to strike the air : flap c : to strike cover in order to rouse game; also : to range or scour for or as if for game

4

: to progress with much difficulty

5

: to sail to windward by a series of tacks

— beat·able \ˈbē-tə-bəl\ adjective

— beat about the bush or beat around the bush

: to fail or refuse to come to the point in discourse

— beat a retreat

: to leave in haste

— beat it

1

: to hurry away : scram

2

: hurry, rush

— beat one's brains out

: to try intently to resolve something difficult by thinking

— beat the bushes

: to search thoroughly through all possible areas

— beat the drum

: to proclaim as meritorious or significant : publicize vigorously

— beat the pants off

: to defeat or surpass overwhelmingly

— beat the rap

: to escape or evade the penalties connected with an accusation or charge

— beat up on

: to attack physically or verbally

— to beat the band

: in a very energetic or forceful manner <talking away to beat the band>

Examples of BEAT

1. He beat the dust out of the rug with a stick.
2. She used a hammer to beat the metal into shape.
3. She used a hammer to beat the nail into the wall.
4. The dented metal was beaten flat.
5. The waves were beating the shore.
6. He beat at the door with his fists.
7. The waves were beating on the shore.
8. The rain beat on the roof.
9. They beat him with clubs.
10. a man accused of beating his wife

Origin of BEAT

Middle English beten, from Old English bēatan; akin to Old High German bōzan to beat

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BEAT

Synonyms: bash, baste, bat, batter, belabor, belt, birch, bludgeon, buffet, bung up, club, curry, do, drub, fib [British], flog, hammer, hide, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lash, lather, lick, maul, mess (up), paddle, pelt, pommel, pound, pummel, punch out, rough (up), slate, slog, switch, tan, thrash, thresh, thump, tromp, wallop, whale, whip, whop (or whap), whup, work over, beat up on, get the better of, knock for a loop

Antonyms: lose (to)

Related Words: assail, assault, attack, beset, box, bust, chop, clobber, clout, crack, cudgel, cuff, descend (on or upon), hit, jump (on), knock, lam, lay on, paste, pounce (on or upon), punch, raid, rush, slam, slap, smack, smash, sock, spank, storm, swat, swipe, thwack, whack, wham, whomp; blackjack, cane, cowhide, flagellate, fustigate, horsewhip, leather, pistol-whip, rawhide, scourge, strap; gore, lacerate, wound; maim, mangle, mutilate

Near Antonyms: fall, give up, go down, go under; collapse, fail, flop, flunk, fold, wash out

see all synonyms and antonyms

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