beat · v
beat (HIT)
B2 to hit a person or animal repeatedly
Dictionary examples:
She was beaten to death. (24.0)
They saw him beating his dog with a stick. (24.5)
beat around the bush
C1 to avoid talking about something difficult or embarrassing
Dictionary examples:
I decided to stop beating around the bush and told him exactly what I thought of him. (37.9)
beat (MIX)
C1 to mix food using quick movements
Dictionary examples:
Beat the egg whites until they are stiff. (32.7)
beat (SOUND)
C2 to hit against something, making sound in a continuous or regular pattern
Dictionary examples:
Rain beat against the windows. (15.9)
He steadily beat the drum. (29.6)
We could hear the pigeons beating their wings. (56.4)
you can't beat sth
C2 used to emphasize that something is best
Dictionary examples:
You can't beat Pedro's for a great pizza. (15.5)
off the beaten track
C2 in a place where few people go
Dictionary examples:
I prefer to take my vacation somewhere off the beaten track. (25.5)
beat (HEART)
B1 When your heart beats, it makes regular movements and sounds.
Dictionary examples:
His heart beat so loudly during the exam, everyone thought it was a drum! (0.0)
My heart beats faster when I see pizza than when I see my crush! (0.0)
My heart beats faster when I see my crush than when I run! (0.0)
By the time the doctor had arrived, his heart had stopped beating. (32.6)
beat (DEFEAT)
B1 to defeat or do better than
Dictionary examples:
My grandma beats me at video games every time we play. (0.0)
My phone beats me at remembering birthdays. It's smarter than me! (0.0)
My little sister beats me at arm wrestling. She's only five! (0.0)
Simon always beats me at tennis. (15.5)
Holland beat Belgium (by) 3-1. (16.0)
She has beaten her own record of three minutes ten seconds. (25.2)
The nationalists were narrowly beaten in the local election. (64.0)
beat (BETTER THAN)
B2 to be better than
Dictionary examples:
I take the train - it beats driving for seven hours. (30.8)