Meaning & Definition
noun
A severe reprimand or criticism.
He received a beating from his boss for not meeting the deadline.
The action of striking or hitting repeatedly.
The drummer's beating set the rhythm for the entire band.
A defeat in a competition or confrontation.
The team suffered a painful beating in the championship game.
The sound produced by a rhythmic hitting or pounding.
The beating of the waves against the shore was soothing.
verb
To strike repeatedly.
She is beating the egg whites to make them fluffy.
To defeat someone in a game or competition.
They are beating their rivals for a place in the finals.
To pulsate or throb rhythmically.
His heart was beating rapidly with excitement.
Etymology
Derived from the verb 'beat', from Old English 'beatan' meaning to strike.
Common Phrases and Expressions
beat a dead horse:
To continue discussing a topic that is already resolved or pointless.
take a beating:
To suffer a loss or negative outcome, often refers to finances or physical combat.
to give someone a beating:
To physically assault someone, often severely.
Slang Meanings
A rough experience, especially in terms of competition or loss.
He really took a beating in the stock market last week.
A significant and often embarrassing defeat.
That loss was a total beating for the team.