beat out

Idioms  

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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Example Sentences

In addition to fostering greater self-reliance, China is looking to beat out other nations in the race to develop and commercialize the nascent technology.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Its inclusion was controversial, said former military officials: Lucas was just a mock-up, but it beat out more mature systems on the offering.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

“Surprising only comes from a group of writers huddled in a corner beating themselves up to beat out a better show,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

For Norway, fully electric vehicles have almost totally beat out petroleum cars in the auto market, helping to make it the only nation whose growth will not slow down this year, as Oxford Economics projects.

From Slate • Mar. 12, 2026

“Lena, I’m really beat out . . .” he began in sweet reasonableness.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison