beat

[biːt]

beat Definition

• 1. to strike or hit repeatedly
• 2. to defeat or overcome someone or something
• 3. to move or make a rhythmic sound with a strong regular pulse

Using beat: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "beat" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  He beat the drum loudly.

• Example

  The boxer beat his opponent in the first round.

• Example

  I can't beat you at chess.

• Example

  She beat the eggs until they were fluffy.

beat Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for beat

• hit
• pound
• defeat
• conquer
• overcome
• thrash
• drub
• pulsate
• throb
• pulse
• rhythm
• strike

Antonyms for beat

• lose
• surrender
• yield
• fail
• fall behind

Idioms Using beat

• beat the rap

  to avoid punishment for a crime

  Example

  He hired a good lawyer and managed to beat the rap.

• beat a hasty retreat

  to leave a place quickly and in a hurry

  Example

  When he saw the angry dog, he beat a hasty retreat.

• beat one's brains out

  to try very hard to solve a problem or understand something

  Example

  I've been beating my brains out trying to figure out this math problem.

Phrases with beat

• beat around the bush

  to avoid talking about something directly

  Example

  Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you want.

• beat the odds

  to succeed despite unfavorable circumstances

  Example

  He beat the odds and recovered from his illness.

• beat a dead horse

  to continue to argue or discuss a point that has already been resolved

  Example

  Let's move on to another topic. We're just beating a dead horse here.

Origins of beat

from Old English 'beatan', meaning 'to strike, beat, pound'

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Summary: beat in Brief

The verb 'beat' [biːt] means to strike or hit repeatedly, defeat or overcome someone or something, or move or make a rhythmic sound with a strong regular pulse. Examples include 'He beat the drum loudly,' 'The boxer beat his opponent in the first round,' and 'She beat the eggs until they were fluffy.' Phrases like 'beat around the bush' and idioms like 'beat the rap' add nuance to its usage.