beggar description

Idioms  

1. Defy or outdo any possible description, as in The stage set was so elaborate, it beggared description. This term, alluding to the idea that words are insufficient to do something justice, was already used by Shakespeare in Antony and Cleopatra (2:2), “For her own person It beggared all description.”

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Example Sentences

And from sun rise to sun set, I passed through scenes and experiences that beggar description.

From Slate • Oct. 23, 2019

The acoustics are so complex that they beggar description.

From Time Magazine Archive

Behind the two heroic combats scenes were occurring which beggar description.

From The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte Vol. III. (of IV.) by Sloane, William Milligan

The sufferings endured by the poor Highlanders in the succeeding winter truly beggar description.

From Leading Articles on Various Subjects by Davidson, John

Meanwhile King Sasan went in to his wife Nuzhet ez Zeman, who said to him, "I hear that the folk talk of nothing but Kanmakan and attribute to him such qualities as beggar description."

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume II by Payne, John