Main Entry: ¹beat

Pronunciation: \ˈbēt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): beat; beat·en \ˈbē-t^ən\ or beat; beat·ing

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

Date: before 12th century

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>