Beat to it
Get ahead of someone to obtain something, as in There was only enough for one, so Jane ran as fast as she could in order to beat Jerry to it. [ ; c. 1900 ]
Also, beat to the draw or punch. React more quickly than someone else. For example, The new salesman tried to serve one of my customers, but I beat him to the draw and Bill was determined to get there first and beat everyone else to the punch. The variants imply aggression to get ahead, draw alluding to the drawing of a pistol and punch to hitting with the fists. [ Second half of 1800s ]
Read Also:
- Beat to the ground
beat to the ground adjective phrase (Variations: a frazzle or the socks may replace the ground) Totally exhausted; pooped: Frankie Machine, looking beat to the ground, brushed past (entry form 1940s+; second form 1900s+)
- Beat up
Informal. dilapidated; in poor condition from use: a beat-up old jalopy. the warpwise count of tufts of pile in the warp of carpets. to strike violently or forcefully and repeatedly. to dash against: rain beating the trees. to flutter, flap, or rotate in or against: beating the air with its wings. to sound, as on […]
- Beat up on
to strike violently or forcefully and repeatedly. to dash against: rain beating the trees. to flutter, flap, or rotate in or against: beating the air with its wings. to sound, as on a drum: beating a steady rhythm; to beat a tattoo. to stir vigorously: Beat the egg whites well. to break, forge, or make […]
- Beat-down
to strike violently or forcefully and repeatedly. to dash against: rain beating the trees. to flutter, flap, or rotate in or against: beating the air with its wings. to sound, as on a drum: beating a steady rhythm; to beat a tattoo. to stir vigorously: Beat the egg whites well. to break, forge, or make […]
- Beatable
to strike violently or forcefully and repeatedly. to dash against: rain beating the trees. to flutter, flap, or rotate in or against: beating the air with its wings. to sound, as on a drum: beating a steady rhythm; to beat a tattoo. to stir vigorously: Beat the egg whites well. to break, forge, or make […]