take a beating
idiom
: to be beaten badly in a game or contest
The team took a beating in last night's game.
—often used figuratively to suggest a setback or lossOur plans took a real beating from the review committee.
Many investors took quite a (bad) beating when the stock market crashed.
Examples of take a beating in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In some cases, IPO shares take a beating after starting public trading, which means new shareholders risk losing money right off the bat.
—
Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024
The mudroom may also take a beating from muddy boots, coats, and bags being dropped on the floor.
—Nor'adila Hepburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Oct. 2023
Fiberglass frames and a plastic boot make these skates also lightweight for tricks and durable enough to take a beating.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2024
A bit of rain shouldn’t be too much of a problem; brass instruments, cases and drums made of wood can take a beating during a rainy march.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2023
These slightly modernized boots have a sleek silhouette and durable suede uppers that can take a beating through thick underbrush and rugged trails.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2024
This is also a great choice for someone who needs a pole that will take a beating.
—Lindsey Lapointe, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024
The best way to protect your special someone’s booze from their own clumsiness is a flask that can take a beating like High Camp’s Torch flask.
—G. Clay Whittaker, Bon Appétit, 8 Dec. 2023
The pickup truck Russell was driving had two stunt doubles of its own that would take a beating on Wednesday along the railroad tracks, although the train never actually hit a vehicle.
—Greg Garrison | , al, 20 July 2023
Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024
The mudroom may also take a beating from muddy boots, coats, and bags being dropped on the floor.
—Nor'adila Hepburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Oct. 2023
Fiberglass frames and a plastic boot make these skates also lightweight for tricks and durable enough to take a beating.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2024
A bit of rain shouldn’t be too much of a problem; brass instruments, cases and drums made of wood can take a beating during a rainy march.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2023
These slightly modernized boots have a sleek silhouette and durable suede uppers that can take a beating through thick underbrush and rugged trails.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2024
This is also a great choice for someone who needs a pole that will take a beating.
—Lindsey Lapointe, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024
The best way to protect your special someone’s booze from their own clumsiness is a flask that can take a beating like High Camp’s Torch flask.
—G. Clay Whittaker, Bon Appétit, 8 Dec. 2023
The pickup truck Russell was driving had two stunt doubles of its own that would take a beating on Wednesday along the railroad tracks, although the train never actually hit a vehicle.
—Greg Garrison | , al, 20 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take a beating.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near take a beating
Cite this Entry
“Take a beating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20beating. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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