beat back

Idioms and Phrases

Force to retreat or withdraw, as in His findings beat back all their arguments to the contrary . This phrase was often used in a military context (and still is), as in Their armies were beaten back . [Late 1500s]

Related Words

• chase away
• confront
• drive away
• drive off
• fend off
• hold off
• rebuff
• resist
• ward off
• withstand