beef

B0154600 (bēf)n. pl. beeves (bēvz) or beef 1. a. A full-grown steer, bull, ox, or cow, especially one intended for use as meat.b. The flesh of a slaughtered full-grown steer, bull, ox, or cow.2. Informal Human muscle; brawn.3. pl. beefs Slang A complaint.intr.v. beefed, beef·ing, beefs Slang To complain.Phrasal Verb: beef up Informal To make or become greater or stronger: beef up the defense budget.

[Middle English, from Old French buef, from Latin bōs, bov-; see g^wou- in Indo-European roots.]Word History: As has often been remarked, the great social disparities of medieval European society are revealed by the Modern English words for different sorts of meat. In medieval England, meats like beef, pork, veal, and mutton were presumably more often eaten by the educated and wealthy classes—most of whom could speak French or at least admired French culture—and the Modern English terms for these meats are uniformly of French origin. (The French sources of the English words are now spelled bœuf, porc, veau, and mouton, and the French words can refer both to the animal and to the meat it provides.) The English-speaking peasants who actually raised the animals—and who presumably subsisted on mostly vegetarian fare—continued to use the original Germanic words ox, swine, calf, and sheep when talking in the barnyard, and so the animals themselves have kept their native names to this day. One such Germanic word is actually related etymologically to its French counterpart. Cow comes from Old English cū, which is descended from the Indo-European root *g^wou-, "cow." This root has descendants in most of the branches of the Indo-European language family. Among those descendants is the Latin word bōs, "cow," whose stem form, bov-, eventually became the Old French word buef, the source of English beef.

beef

(biːf) npl beeves (biːvz) pl beefs1. (Cookery) the flesh of various bovine animals, esp the cow, when killed for eating2. (Breeds) an adult ox, bull, cow, etc, reared for its meat3. informal human flesh, esp when muscular4. a complaintvb5. (intr) slang to complain, esp repeatedly: he was beefing about his tax. 6. informal (often foll by: up) to strengthen; reinforce[C13: from Old French boef, from Latin bōs ox; see cow¹]

beef

(bif)

n., pl. beeves (bēvz) for 2; beefs for 4, n. 1. the flesh of a cow, steer, or bull raised and killed for its meat. 2. an adult cow, steer, or bull raised for its meat. 3. Informal. a. brawn; muscular strength. b. human flesh. 4. Slang. a complaint. v.i. 5. Slang. to complain; grumble. 6. beef up, to add strength, numbers, force, etc., to. [1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French beof, Old French boef < Latin bovem, acc. of bōs ox, cow; akin to cow ¹]

beef

Past participle: beefed
Gerund: beefing

Imperative
beef
beef

Present
I beef
you beef
he/she/it beefs
we beef
you beef
they beef

Preterite
I beefed
you beefed
he/she/it beefed
we beefed
you beefed
they beefed

Present Continuous
I am beefing
you are beefing
he/she/it is beefing
we are beefing
you are beefing
they are beefing

Present Perfect
I have beefed
you have beefed
he/she/it has beefed
we have beefed
you have beefed
they have beefed

Past Continuous
I was beefing
you were beefing
he/she/it was beefing
we were beefing
you were beefing
they were beefing

Past Perfect
I had beefed
you had beefed
he/she/it had beefed
we had beefed
you had beefed
they had beefed

Future
I will beef
you will beef
he/she/it will beef
we will beef
you will beef
they will beef

Future Perfect
I will have beefed
you will have beefed
he/she/it will have beefed
we will have beefed
you will have beefed
they will have beefed

Future Continuous
I will be beefing
you will be beefing
he/she/it will be beefing
we will be beefing
you will be beefing
they will be beefing

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been beefing
you have been beefing
he/she/it has been beefing
we have been beefing
you have been beefing
they have been beefing

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been beefing
you will have been beefing
he/she/it will have been beefing
we will have been beefing
you will have been beefing
they will have been beefing

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been beefing
you had been beefing
he/she/it had been beefing
we had been beefing
you had been beefing
they had been beefing

Conditional
I would beef
you would beef
he/she/it would beef
we would beef
you would beef
they would beef

Past Conditional
I would have beefed
you would have beefed
he/she/it would have beefed
we would have beefed
you would have beefed
they would have beefed

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	beef - cattle that are reared for their meatbeef cattleBos taurus, cattle, cows, kine, oxen - domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age; "so many head of cattle"; "wait till the cows come home"; "seven thin and ill-favored kine"- Bible; "a team of oxen"longhorn, Texas longhorn - long-horned beef cattle formerly common in southwestern United StatesSanta Gertrudis - Brahman and shorthorn crossbreed of red cattle; hardy in hot regionsAberdeen Angus, black Angus, Angus - black hornless breed from ScotlandCharolais - large white or cream-colored breed from Franceshorthorn, Durham - English breed of short-horned cattleGalloway - breed of hardy black chiefly beef cattle native to ScotlandHereford, whiteface - hardy English breed of dairy cattle raised extensively in United Statesbeefalo, cattalo - hardy breed of cattle resulting from crossing domestic cattle with the American buffalo; yields leaner beef than conventional breeds
	2.	beef - meat from an adult domestic bovine boeufBos taurus, cattle, cows, kine, oxen - domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age; "so many head of cattle"; "wait till the cows come home"; "seven thin and ill-favored kine"- Bible; "a team of oxen"meat - the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as foodcut of beef - cut of meat from beef cattlebeef loin - cut of meat from a loin of beefground beef, hamburger - beef that has been groundbully beef, corn beef, corned beef - beef cured or pickled in brinepastrami - highly seasoned cut of smoked beef
	3.	beef - informal terms for objecting; "I have a gripe about the service here"gripe, squawk, bitch, kickobjection - the speech act of objecting
Verb	1.	beef - complain; "What was he hollering about?"bellyache, bitch, gripe, grouse, squawk, holler, crabkvetch, plain, quetch, complain, sound off, kick - express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness; "My mother complains all day"; "She has a lot to kick about"

beef

(Slang)noun1. complaint, dispute, grievance, problem, grumble, criticism, objection, dissatisfaction, annoyance, grouse, gripe (informal), protestation, grouch (informal), remonstrance I really don't have a beef with Wayne.verb1. complain, carp, fuss, moan, bitch (slang), groan, grieve, lament, grumble, whine, growl, deplore, grouse, gripe (informal), bemoan, whinge (informal), bleat, find fault, bewail, kick up a fuss (informal), grouch (informal), bellyache (slang), kvetch (U.S. slang) She was beefing about what he had done.beef something up strengthen, increase, build up, enhance, reinforce, intensify, heighten, bolster, augment, give a boost to a campaign to beef up security

beef

noun1. Informal. Solid and well-developed muscles:brawn, bulk, muscularity.2. Slang. An expression of dissatisfaction or a circumstance regarded as a cause for such expression:complaint, grievance.Informal: gripe, grouse.Slang: kick.Idiom: bone to pick.verbSlang. To express negative feelings, especially of dissatisfaction or resentment:complain, grouch, grump, whine.Informal: crab, gripe, grouse, kick.Slang: bellyache, bitch.phrasal verb
beef upInformal. To make or become greater or larger:aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build, build up, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, grow, increase, magnify, mount, multiply, proliferate, rise, run up, snowball, soar, swell, upsurge, wax.

Translations

牛肉

beef

(biːf) noun the flesh of a bull, cow or ox, used as food. 牛肉beefy adjective1. of or like beef. a beefy taste.牛肉似的2. having a lot of fat or muscle. a beefy man.肌肉发达的

beef

→ 牛肉zhCN

beef

beef to (the) heel

Chubby or fat, especially in the legs. Usually said of women, it comes from the longer phrase "beef to the heel like a Mullingar heifer," referring to cattle bred in Mullingar, a town in County Westmeath, Ireland. Primarily heard in Ireland. I think I need to go on a diet, I've gotten beef to the heel since my pregnancy. I don't know what's wrong with other men, I like a woman who's a bit beef to heel.See also: beef, heel

beef to (the) heel like a Mullingar heifer

Chubby or fat, especially in the legs. Usually said of women, it refers to cattle bred in Mullingar, a town in County Westmeath, Ireland. Primarily heard in Ireland. I think I need to go on a diet, I've gotten beef to the heel like a Mullingar heifer since my pregnancy. I don't know what's wrong with other men, I like a woman who's beef to heel like a Mullingar heifer.See also: beef, heel, like

beefcake

A man displayed or photographed for having an attractive, muscular physique, or one who has these qualities in general. I always buy the fire station's charity calendar because I love looking at the beefcakes in their firefighter outfits.

beefed out

1. Portrayed as being exaggeratedly muscular, as of a person (typically male) or an image thereof. The guys in these advertisements are so beefed out that it just looks unrealistic.2. Strengthened, updated, or improved upon in a robust way. Jenny spends a lot of time and money getting her old Ford Mustang all beefed out.See also: beef, out

what's (someone's) beef (with someone or something)

What's wrong with someone? Why is someone upset? What is someone's problem? Wow, what's Cheryl's beef today? She's been really snippy with me all day. I'll tell you what my beef with you is: I'm really annoyed that you would leave all these dishes for me to clean up, instead of just doing them yourself! What's your beef with this project? You've had some issue with it from day one.See also: beef, someone

beef to the hoof

Chubby or fat, especially in the legs. Usually said of women, it comes from the longer phrase "beef to the heel like a Mullingar heifer," referring to cattle bred in Mullingar, a town in County Westmeath, Ireland. Primarily heard in Ireland. I think I need to go on a diet, I've gotten beef to the hoof like a Mullingar heifer since my pregnancy. I don't know what's wrong with other men, I like a woman who's beef to hoof.See also: beef, hoof

beef

1. noun, slang A source of disagreement; a feud. What is her beef with me? I'm always nice to her! The beef between the two rappers escalated with the latest diss track.2. noun, slang A charge against someone. I'm fine with you working late, but you didn't call and let me know in advance. That's the beef here! The beef is that you were seen robbing an old lady in the park.3. noun, slang A strapping, muscular man. I got some of the beefs in facilities to help me move that furniture out of my office.4. noun, slang An episode of flatulence. His beef had us all scrambling to open a window!5. verb, slang To fart. Open a window—somebody beefed in here!6. verb, slang To complain. Of course Marjorie is beefing about how I left dishes out in the kitchen—she's not happy unless everything is perfectly put away.

beef up

To increase something, often in strength. With all these protestors here, we definitely need to beef up security. My boyfriend has been going to the gym every day for months in hopes of beefing up his frame. We need to beef up our services in order to rival our competitors' more comprehensive offerings.See also: beef, up

have a beef with (someone or something)

To have an outstanding or unsettled dispute or disagreement with someone or something. Why does she have a beef with me? I'm always nice to her! Dad has a real beef with the phone company because they keep raising their rates.See also: beef, have

Where's the beef?

1. What is the problem? This meaning uses "beef" in the sense of a conflict, complaint, grudge, feud, etc. So, he borrowed your sweater and then he returned it. Where's the beef?2. Where is the substance or the important part (of something)? This usage originated with a popular catchphrase introduced in a 1984 commercial for the Wendy's fast food chain in which a woman humorously questioned the purported lack of meat in competitors' hamburgers. The phrase was further popularized that year when US presidential candidate Walter Mondale used it to question the substance of the policy proposals of his primary opponent, Gary Hart. The writing is good, but where's the beef? You need evidence to back up your claims. The program looks good on paper, but how do we know it will really work? Has any research been done? Where's the beef?

beef about (someone or something)

To complain or gripe about someone or something, Of course Marjorie is beefing about how I left dishes out in the kitchen—she's not happy unless everything is perfectly put away.See also: beef

beef-head

A clumsy, cloddish person. Of course he broke the vase—that guy is such a beef-head.

beef-hearts

Farts. I can't believe you let beef-hearts loose in the car. Now we have to smell it all the way home!

bogus beef

An allegation that is untrue. Come on, this is a bogus beef—you have no proof that I did something wrong.See also: beef, bogus

bum beef

An allegation that is untrue. Come on, this is a bum beef—you have no proof that I did something wrong.See also: beef, bum

beef about someone or something

Sl. to complain about someone or something. Stop beefing about Karen. He is always beefing about his working conditions.See also: beef

beef something up

to add strength or substance to something. Let's beef this music up with a little more on the drums. They beefed up the offer with another thousand dollars.See also: beef, up

Where's the beef?

Inf. Where is the substance?; Where is the important content? That's really clever and appealing, but where's the beef? Where's the beef? There's no substance in this proposal.

beef up

Strengthen, reinforce, as in Mary wants us to beef up her part in the play. This phrase relies on an older slang sense of beef as "muscles" or "power." [Colloquial; late 1800s] See also: beef, up

where's the beef?

1. Also, what's the beef? What is the source of a complaint, as in Where's the beef? No one was hurt in the accident. This usage employs beef in the sense of a "complaint" or "grudge," also appearing in the phrase have no beef with, meaning "have no quarrel with." [Slang; late 1800s] 2. Where is the content or substance, as in That was a very articulate speech, but where's the beef? This usage was originally the slogan for a television commercial for a hamburger chain attacking the poor quality of rival chains. (1984) The phrase was almost immediately transferred to other kinds of substance, especially in politics.

where's the beef?

used to complain that something is too insubstantial. informal

beef up

v.1. To cause someone or something to become bigger, stronger, or bulkier: You should beef up your travel report with more descriptions of what you saw. The soup tastes good, but we could beef it up by adding some spices.2. To become bigger, stronger, or bulkier: The actor beefed up over a couple of months so that he could play the part of a boxer.See also: beef, up

beef

1. n. a complaint; a quarrel. I gotta beef against you. 2. n. a criminal charge or complaint. The beef is that you appear to have left the bank Monday with about seventy-five grand that isn’t yours. That’s the beef! 3. n. a large and muscular male. Let’s get one of those beefs in here to help. 4. in. to complain. What’s he beefing about now? 5. in. to break wind; to release intestinal gas audibly. (Usually objectionable.) Willy warned everybody that he was going to beef. 6. n. an act of breaking wind. (Usually objectionable.) All right! Who’s beef was that? 7. in. to crack up and get injured as in a skateboard accident. Chuck beefed and wrecked his elbow.

beef about someone/something

in. to complain about someone or something. He is always beefing about his working conditions. See also: beef, someone, something

beef something up

tv. to add strength or substance to something. They beefed up the offer with another thousand dollars. See also: beef, something, up

beefcake

1. n. a display of the male physique. (see also cheesecake.) There was one calendar showing beefcake rather than the usual cheesecake. 2. n. a muscularly handsome male. She’s been going out with a real beefcake.

beef-head

n. an oaf; a meathead. Look you beef-head, lay off!

beef-hearts

n. audible releases of intestinal gas through the anus. (Rhyming slang for farts. Usually objectionable.) No more of these beef-hearts!

bogus beef

and bum beef n. a false complaint or charge. (see also beef.) The cops took them in on a bogus beef. It’s a bogus beef. I’ll be back on the street in twenty minutes. See also: beef, bogus

bum beef

verbSee bogus beefSee also: beef, bum

where's the beef?

Where is the substance to this issue? This expression began life as an advertising slogan for Wendy’s, the third-largest American hamburger chain. In a 1984 television commercial, three elderly women are given a small hamburger on a huge bun, a competitor’s product. They admire the bun, but one of them, a retired manicurist named Clara Peller, asks, “Where’s the beef?” The slogan caught on, and Walter Mondale, seeking the Democratic nomination for president, used it to attack his opponents’ stands and policies. The phrase echoes another, much older slang expression, what’s the beef?, meaning what’s the complaint. The use of the noun beef for gripe or complaint dates from the late 1800s. George V. Higgins used it in Deke Hunter (1976), “I agree with you . . . so what’s the beef?”

beef

beef

beef

beef

beef

beef

beef

beef

beef

beef

beef to (the) heel

beef to (the) heel like a Mullingar heifer

beefcake

beefed out

what's (someone's) beef (with someone or something)

beef to the hoof

beef

beef up

have a beef with (someone or something)

Where's the beef?

beef about (someone or something)

beef-head

beef-hearts

bogus beef

bum beef

beef about someone or something

beef something up

Where's the beef?

beef up

where's the beef?

where's the beef?

beef up

beef

beef about someone/something

beef something up

beefcake

beef-head

beef-hearts

bogus beef

bum beef

where's the beef?

beef

beef,

Bibliography

beef

beef

beef

beef

BEEF

beef

Synonyms for beef

noun complaint

Synonyms

verb complain

Synonyms

phrase beef something up

Synonyms

Synonyms for beef

noun solid and well-developed muscles

Synonyms

noun an expression of dissatisfaction or a circumstance regarded as a cause for such expression

Synonyms

verb to express negative feelings, especially of dissatisfaction or resentment

Synonyms

phrase beef up: to make or become greater or larger

Synonyms

Synonyms for beef

noun cattle that are reared for their meat

Synonyms

Related Words

noun meat from an adult domestic bovine

Synonyms

Related Words

noun informal terms for objecting

Synonyms

Related Words

verb complain

Synonyms

Related Words