| beat about the bush |
to intentionally avoid the central matter or point. |
| beat around the bush |
to intentionally avoid the central matter or point. |
| Beat Generation |
(sometimes l.c.) used to characterize some members of the generation that reached maturity in the late 1950s, esp. in the United States, who were alienated from conventional society and who promoted experimentation in artistic and literary forms. |
| beat it |
(informal) to leave a place quickly and abruptly. |
| beat the rap |
(slang) to escape punishment. |
| beat the tar out of |
(informal) to beat or whip severely. [2 definitions] |
| beat (someone) to the punch |
to seize an opportunity before (someone else). |
| beat up |
to hit or kick (someone) until seriously injured. [2 definitions] |
| beat-up |
(informal) in poor or damaged condition because of age or hard use; in disrepair; shabby. |
| drop a beat |
to miss a beat in music, or otherwise lose the rhythm or continuity of something; falter. [2 definitions] |