beat-up

American  

[beet-uhp] / ˈbitˈʌp /

adjective

1. Informal. dilapidated; in poor condition from use.

   a beat-up old jalopy.

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noun

1. the warpwise count of tufts of pile in the warp of carpets.

beat up British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to strike or kick (a person), usually repeatedly, so as to inflict severe physical damage

2. informal to reproach oneself

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adjective

1. worn-out; dilapidated

beat up Idioms  

1. Strike repeatedly, as in She told the police her husband had beaten her up . [ Slang ; first half of 1900s]

2. Also, beat up on . Attack verbally, as in That newspaper article really beat up on the town council . [ Slang ; late 1900s]

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Etymology

Origin of beat-up

First recorded in 1935–40; adj., noun use of verb phrase beat up

Example Sentences

This should provide a badly needed injection of adrenaline to the beat-up small business sector.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 8, 2026

Regular, beat-up people know all this in the particular, the wealthy and successful only in the abstract.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

“I like things that are shiny and nice but also beat-up around the edges. Nothing too perfect. “

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 10, 2025

Sadly, he only sells enough tomes to keep gas in his beat-up van and pursue his calling as Tulsa’s resident “truthstorian,” a blend of journalist and conspiracist.

From Salon • Sep. 23, 2025

Dressed in prison rags and old, beat-up sneakers so dirty that not even the brand name shows.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles

Related Words

• batter