beat out
Idioms-
Knock into shape by beating, as in She managed to beat out all the dents in the fender . [c. 1600]
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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 .
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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]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He beat out Albert Pujols, then of the Cardinals.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026
In a reader poll asking which cohort had it harder, Gen X nearly beat out both of the generations the article was actually about.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
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
The two candidates beat out a crowded field of 17 candidates for the runoff slots.
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
“You know,” Mom said, pulling the page out of the folder and settling into a chair, “I was treasurer of my tenth-grade class. I beat out five other students.”
From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
