beat time

Idioms  

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]

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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.

From New York Times

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

From Literature

“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.”

From The Guardian

There was a beat—time for hearts to skip.

From Literature

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.

From Literature