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.
The blue shirt became the second most expensive jersey sold at auction after an anonymous buyer beat out four other bidders at Sotheby's in New York.
From Barron's ● Jul. 16, 2026
Roberts beat out Disney to acquire U.K. pay-TV provider Sky.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
The two beat out thousands of others to score this promotional gig from the job site Indeed and the US broadcaster Fox Sports.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
“Surprising only comes from a group of writers huddled in a corner, beating themselves up to beat out a better joke,” he says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 20, 2026
The harvests were past, and the grain they beat out upon the threshing floor which was also the dooryard to the house.
From "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck
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.
