Welcome! Today, we’re going to learn about idioms that use the word “beat.” Idioms are phrases that have a meaning different from the words in them. They make our language more fun and colorful. Let’s explore some common “beat” idioms, what they mean, and see them used in sentences!
Beat Idioms
Here are 20 beat idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
1. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoid saying something directly
Example: He beat around the bush when asked about homework.
2. Beat the clock
Meaning: Finish something before time runs out
Example: She managed to beat the clock and submit her test.
3. Beat a dead horse
Meaning: Waste effort on something settled
Example: Arguing about it now is just beating a dead horse.
4. Beat someone to the punch
Meaning: Do something before someone else
Example: I beat him to the punch and ordered the last pie.
5. Beat the odds
Meaning: Succeed despite difficulties
Example: He beat the odds and won the race.
6. Beat the rap
Meaning: Escape punishment
Example: She beat the rap by proving her innocence.
7. Beat one’s brains out
Meaning: Try very hard to understand
Example: I beat my brains out studying for the exam.
8. Beat the drum
Meaning: Promote enthusiastically
Example: He’s always beating the drum for his favorite charity.
9. March to the beat of your own drum
Meaning: Do things your own way
Example: She marches to the beat of her own drum.
10. Beat the air
Meaning: Make useless efforts
Example: He’s just beating the air with his complaints.
11. Beat a retreat
Meaning: Withdraw or retreat quickly
Example: They beat a retreat when the storm started.
12. Beat into one’s head
Meaning: Force someone to understand
Example: His coach beat the strategy into his head.
13. Beat the heat
Meaning: Stay cool in hot weather
Example: We beat the heat by going swimming.
14. Beat the bushes
Meaning: Search thoroughly
Example: Police are beating the bushes for the lost child.
15. Beat one’s chest
Meaning: Boast or brag
Example: After winning, he was beating his chest with pride.
16. Beat the system
Meaning: Overcome a rigid system
Example: She found a loophole to beat the system.
17. Beat someone black and blue
Meaning: Hurt someone badly
Example: He was beaten black and blue in the fight.
18. Beat a path
Meaning: Go to a place frequently
Example: Fans beat a path to the new café.
19. Beat the living daylights out of someone
Meaning: Hit someone very hard
Example: He threatened to beat the living daylights out of the intruder.
20. Beat it
Meaning: Go away quickly
Example: When he saw the cops, he just beat it.
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