beat out

To win against someone by only a small amount.

• She beat out her closest rival.
• Our film beat out theirs by just two votes.
• Who beat him out for the award?

How to use it: beat someone out for something (She beat him out for the final place on the team.)

Similar words: edge out, narrowly defeat

Opposites: lose to

Common phrases: beat out someone, beat out rivals

To make a rhythm by hitting a drum or another surface repeatedly.

• She beat out a rhythm.
• The children beat out a march on their drums.
• Can you beat out that tune with your fingers?

How to use it: beat out something on something (He beat out a rhythm on the table.)

Similar words: tap out, drum

Common phrases: beat out rhythms, beat out a tune

To stop a fire by hitting the flames with something.

• They beat out the flames.
• She beat the small fire out with a blanket.
• We managed to beat out the burning grass before help arrived.

How to use it: beat something out with something (He beat the fire out with his coat.)

Similar words: put out, extinguish

Opposites: ignite

Common phrases: beat out flames, beat out a fire

To think through all the parts of something until you have a complete plan or explanation.

• We need to beat out a plan.
• They beat out every detail during a long discussion.
• Have you beaten out a solution yet?

How to use it: beat out something (They met to beat out the details of their agreement.)

Similar words: work out, develop

Common phrases: beat out details, beat out plans

To hit gold or silver repeatedly until it becomes a very thin sheet.

• They beat out gold by hand.
• The craftswoman beat out the silver until it was paper thin.
• This hammer is used to beat out metal leaf.

How to use it: beat out something into something (The worker beat out the gold into thin sheets.)

Similar words: hammer out

Common phrases: beat out gold, beat out silver

To make a hole in something by hitting it hard several times.

• He beat out a hole in the wall.
• We beat out a small opening with a hammer.
• Someone had beaten out holes in the metal door.

How to use it: beat out a hole in something (They beat out a hole in the panel with a hammer.)

Similar words: bash a hole in

Common phrases: beat out holes, beat out something