beaten to death— 1. killed by beating: The magazine quoted a report which stated that prisoners were routinely starved or beaten to death. 2. (also: flogged to death) discussed so many times that it is not interesting any more: No sporting event is beaten to death more than the Sugar Bowl—it is analyzed again and […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Beat the wind and Hit the breeze
beat the wind—(also: beat the air) continue to make futile attempts: We are beating the wind: the foreign public is not eager to listen to our talks however truthful they may be. hit the breeze—(U.S. sl.) go away promptly; make off at once: Bob Tidball was never to “hit the breeze” again. The deadly .45 […]
Difference between Beat the target and Hit the target
beat the target—do better than planned: It provides incentives to adopt new technologies to meet the target and to beat the target. hit the target—meet the target; achieve the intended results: Will the government hit the target this time? At least it has the power…
Difference between Beat the socks off someone and Knock someone’s socks off
beat the socks off someone—(coll., also: beat someone’s pants off ) win decisively over an opponent in a competition: The true bingo professionals—like us—will beat the socks off the amateurs every time. knock someone’s socks off—(U.S. coll.) impress smb. greatly; amaze or stun a person: You wouldn’t expect teenagers to sing opera, but these kids […]
Difference between Beat the clock and Beat the time
beat the clock—complete the task before a stated time: Any job is much harder if you are trying to beat the clock. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase flog the clock—(Nautical) move the hands of the clock forward (to quit one’s job before the due time): I got suspicious that […]
Difference between Beat the band and To beat the band
beat the band —(coll.) be most improbable or extraordinary (also: beat all): I have heard of unretentive memories but that beats the band. to beat the band—(U.S. coll.) to an extreme degree: Guests can use their brainpower to beat the band and win a free drink for every right answer.
Difference between Beat someone’s time and It beats my time
beat someone’s time— 1. (Sport) improve on a person’s achievement: Samson wins the race, but Xena, off in the women’s Olympics, beats his time anyway. 2. (coll.) obtain or achieve smth. ahead of another: Well, I thought I was up for that promotion but he beat my time with his latest project. 3. (coll.) start […]
Difference between Beat someone to the draw and Beat someone to the punch
beat someone to the draw— 1. shoot quicker than an opponent in a gun fight: He called me out in Tucson and I beat him to the draw, placing a bullet right through his heart. 2. get somewhere or obtain smth. before smb. else does: I beat him to the draw and reported him to […]
Difference between Beat one’s brains out and Blow one’s brains out
beat one’s brains out— 1. (also: dash one’s brains out) kill oneself by smashing one’s head: There would be nothing to stop me from plunging down the well of the staircase and beating my brains out. 2. (coll.) think hard; struggle with a difficult task (also: beat one’s brains): I’ve been beating my brains out […]
Difference between Beat it and It beats me
beat it— 1. (sl., often imper.) go away immediately: Mike yelled at them and told them to beat it. He then returned to comfort his children. 2. (coll.) surpass or do better: Tell the dealer what you’ve already secured in terms of the interest rate and ask if he can beat it. Cf.: you can’t […]
Difference between Beat about the bush and Beat the bush
beat about the bush—(also: beat around the bush) approach the subject indirectly; refuse to come to the point: Why should you beat about the bush when asking for better wages? beat the bush —(also: beat the bushes) 1. search through all likely areas: Pennsylvania hunters have been accustomed to beating the bush in search of […]
Difference between Beat a dead horse and Work off the dead horse
beat a dead horse—(also: flog a dead horse) pursue a futile goal; try to revive interest in a dead issue: Son, we talked about this and the decision was “no.” You are beating a dead horse. work off the dead horse—(also: work out the dead horse) do work for which payment has already been made: […]