verb trans
to hit (somebody) repeatedly, esp so as to inflict pain
to strike directly against (something) forcefully and repeatedly
Heavy waves beat the shore
to flap or thrash at (something) vigorously
a trapped bird beating the air
to strike at or range over (something) in order to rouse game, or as if to rouse game
to mix or whip (food)
to strike (something) repeatedly in order to produce music or a signal
to pound (something) into a powder, paste, or pulp
to make (something) by repeated treading or driving over a surface
A path had been beaten through the woods
to dislodge (something) by repeated hitting
We beat the dust from the carpet
to lodge (something) securely by repeated striking
He beat a stake into the ground
to shape (something) by beating; esp to flatten (something) thin by blows
gold beaten into foil
to sound or express (something), esp by drumbeat
The men beat a tattoo on the drums
to cause (one's hand or foot) to strike or tap repeatedly
He beat his foot nervously on the ground
to overcome or defeat (somebody)
to surpass (somebody)
to win by overcoming a restraint imposed by (something)
The oldest entrant beat the odds to win the race
to indicate (a rhythm) by beating
of a bird's wing: to strike the air
(+ on/at/against) to dash or strike
The rain was beating on the roof
to glare or strike with oppressive intensity
The sun was beating down
said of a heart or pulse: to pulsate or throb
to sound on being struck
The drums were beating
to strike the air; to flap
The bird's wings beat frantically
to strike cover or range in order to find or rouse game
to progress with much difficulty
said of a sailing vessel: to make way at sea against the wind by a series of alternate tacks across the wind
to fail to come to the point in conversation by talking indirectly or evasively
to withdraw quickly
informal to hurry away; to leave
to act ahead of somebody, usu so as to forestall them
informal I cannot understand
It beats me why she married him
of a place: remote or isolated
not well-known
to make (somebody) reduce the price of something