What are the definitions of “beat off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To fight off or repel.
He had to beat the dogs off with a stick.
- 2To successfully defend against or repel.
efforts to beat off their rivals
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “beat off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb beat off is to fight off or repel something or someone. It is often used to describe defending oneself or successfully resisting an attack or challenge.
What are the different verb forms of “beat off”?
| Root Verb | beat off |
| Third Person Singular Present | beats off |
| Present Participle | beating off |
| Simple Past | beat off |
| Past Participle | beaten off |
Example
The soldiers managed to beat off the enemy attack.
Example
She beats off the competition with her excellent skills.
Example
The team is beating off their rivals in the championship.
Example
He beat off the intruders with a baseball bat.
Example
The goalkeeper beaten off several attempts on goal.
What kind of phrasal verb is “beat off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“beat off” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The goalkeeper beat off the attacker's shot.
Example
She beat off the competition to win the prize.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“beat off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The goalkeeper beat off the attacker's shot.
Example
She beat off the competition to win the prize.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “beat off”?
Good things to know
Does “beat off” have an informal or formal tone?
Beat off is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal settings, such as news reports or academic writing.
