beat time

1. Mark musical time by beating a drum, clapping, tapping the foot, or a similar means. For example, Even as a baby, Dave always beat time when he heard music. [Late 1600s]

Example Sentences

Soon, Clinton’s MasterClass has reverted back to its banal messaging — she instructs us to dust ourselves off, take a walk, make our beds — but for a few seconds, she could be seen not as a windup historical figure but as a person, like the rest of us, who cannot beat time.

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He had a string of bells around one of his ankles and beat time with his foot as he played.

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“It’s inhumane to say that we don’t have George Floyds in Brazil. The shootings happen every day. Gay people are persecuted too and that is one of the things I am most angry about with the people who support Bolsonaro. However, no one can beat time. Someday everyone will discover who you really are.”

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There was a beat—time for hearts to skip.

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But boy howdy, I had my arms around her and she was looking up at me, smiling, while Grandpa watched us and beat time to the music.

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