- Main Entry:
- 1beat
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈbēt\
- Function:
- verb
- Inflected Form(s):
- beat; beat·en \ˈbē-tən\ 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 verb1: 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 drumbeat3: 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, swindle5 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 verb1 a: to become forcefully impelled : dash b: to glare or strike with oppressive intensity c: to sustain distracting activity d: to beat a drum2 a (1): pulsate, throb (2): tick b: to sound upon being struck3 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 game4: to progress with much difficulty5: to sail to windward by a series of tacks
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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
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beat a retreat : to leave in haste
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beat one's brains out : to try intently to resolve something difficult by thinking
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beat the bushes : to search thoroughly through all possible areas
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beat the drum : to proclaim as meritorious or significant : publicize vigorously
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beat the pants off : to defeat or surpass overwhelmingly
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beat the rap : to escape or evade the penalties connected with an accusation or charge
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beat up on : to attack physically or verbally
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to beat the band : in a very energetic or forceful manner <talking away to beat the band>
