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beat out

  1. Knock into shape by beating, as in She managed to beat out all the dents in the fender . [c. 1600]

  2. Surpass or defeat someone; be chosen over someone. For example, He got to the head of the line, beating out all the others . [ Colloquial ; second half of 1700s] Also see beat the pants off .

  3. beat out of . Cheat someone of something, as in He was always trying to beat the conductor out of the full train fare . [ Slang ; second half of 1800s]



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beat one's head against the wallbeat poets