Take a beating

Meaning

"Take a beating" is an idiom that means to suffer a defeat or loss, often in a competition or contest. It can also mean receiving punishment or criticism from someone, especially if it's harsh and unforgiving. The figurative meaning is that someone has been defeated or criticized severely, to the point where they feel like they have taken a physical beating.

Usage

• "The team took a beating last night, losing by a score of 20-5."
• "The boss gave me a beating for missing my deadline."
• "After the presentation, I took a beating from the audience for my poor public speaking skills."
• "I took a beating in the final round of the competition, coming in third place."
• "The company took a beating in the stock market last week, losing a significant amount of money."

Roots and History

The idiom "take a beating" dates back to the 16th century, with the earliest known use being recorded in 1578 by William Shakespeare in his play "Richard III". In that context, it means receiving punishment or reprimand from someone. Over time, the meaning has evolved to include defeat or loss in a competition or contest. The idiom is believed to have originated from the tradition of physical punishment inflicted on people who were found guilty of wrongdoing or other offenses.

Synonyms in English

• "defeat"
• "loss"
• "disaster"
• "rebuke"
• "criticism"

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "defait" - meaning defeat or loss
• Spanish: "derrota" - meaning defeat or loss
• German: "Niederlage" - meaning defeat or loss
• Italian: "sconfitta" - meaning defeat or loss
• Japanese: "defeat" - meaning defeat or loss

Similar Idioms

• tie the knot

• the corridors of power

• three cheers