American English
/bit̚/
One syllable.
To win against a person or team in a game, competition, or fight.
The word is /bit̚/. In natural American speech, the final /t/ may be held without a clear burst.
To win against a person or team in a game, competition, or fight.
Our team beat the champions.
She beat me at chess.
beat the competition · beat the other team · beat someone at chess
beat + someone/team + at + a game/sport
beat + someone/team + by + a number of points
To hit a person or thing many times, usually with force.
The attacker beat the man with a stick.
Someone was beating on the door.
beat someone up · beat on someone
beat + someone/something + with + an object
beat + on + something
For a heart to make regular movements as it pushes blood around the body.
My heart was beating fast.
His heart beats about 60 times a minute.
heart beats fast · heart beats irregularly · a beating heart
someone's heart + beat(s) + adverb
someone's heart + beat(s) + at + a number + beats per minute
To hit a drum or another object in a regular rhythm.
She beat the drum slowly.
He beat time with his foot.
beat a drum · beat time · beat out a rhythm
beat + a drum + with + sticks
beat + time + with + your hand
To do or say something before another person does.
I was going to call, but Ana beat me to it.
To avoid saying something directly.
Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.
To go away; this is informal and often rude.
The guard told the boys to beat it.
The past form is beat, but the past participle is beaten.