beat up
B1Informal, colloquial
Definition
Meaning
To physically assault someone, hitting them repeatedly and severely.
To criticize or attack someone verbally; to damage or wear something out through rough use; to stir or mix something vigorously (e.g., eggs).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive phrasal verb. Can be used literally (physical violence) or figuratively (verbal criticism, wear and tear). The adjectival form 'beat-up' describes something worn out or dilapidated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term identically for the core meaning. The adjectival form 'beat-up' (hyphenated) is slightly more common in American English.
Connotations
Strong connotation of unfairness or bullying when the victim is weaker. In both varieties, it implies a sustained, brutal attack rather than a single blow.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties for the core meaning.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] beat up [Object][Subject] beat [Object] up[Subject] beat up on [Object] (more common in US, often figurative)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “beat yourself up (criticize oneself excessively)”
- “beat up on someone (criticize or bully someone)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Figuratively: 'The board beat up the CEO over the poor quarterly results.'
Academic
Very rare, except in sociological/psychological contexts discussing violence.
Everyday
Very common for describing physical fights, bullying, or the condition of old objects.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The older lads beat him up for his dinner money.
- Don't beat yourself up over one mistake.
- My car gets beaten up on these country lanes.
American English
- The gang beat up the witness to scare him.
- The coach beat up on the team after the loss.
- Beat up the eggs before you add the flour.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He drove a beat-up old Ford Fiesta.
- She found the photos in a beat-up cardboard box.
American English
- He was carrying his tools in a beat-up leather bag.
- I wouldn't trust that beat-up old lawnmower.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bad man beat up the other man.
- My bike is old and beat-up.
- He was beaten up by a group of teenagers.
- I feel bad, but there's no point beating myself up about it.
- The politician was verbally beaten up by the press during the interview.
- They threatened to beat him up if he didn't pay.
- The investigative journalist was beaten up by unknown assailants, a clear attempt to intimidate her.
- The theory has been thoroughly beaten up in academic circles for its methodological flaws.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bully making someone 'beat' a drum 'up' and down with their fists.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS WAR (verbal beating up); TIME IS A FORCE THAT WEARS (beat-up car).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'beat' alone (бить). 'Beat up' implies a prolonged, damaging assault, closer to 'избивать' or 'поколотить'.
- The adjective 'beat-up' (разбитый, потрёпанный) is often missed as a derivative.
Common Mistakes
- *He beat up him. (Correct: He beat him up.) - The pronoun object must go between the verb and particle.
- Using it for a single hit instead of a repeated assault.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'beat up' used figuratively?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Beat' can mean to hit once, win, or rhythmically strike. 'Beat up' specifically means to assault repeatedly, causing injury.
Yes, as a verb ('The luggage got beaten up by the airport handlers') or as a hyphenated adjective ('a beat-up sofa'), meaning worn out or damaged.
No, it is informal. More formal equivalents are 'assault', 'batter', or 'physically attack'.
It is an idiomatic expression meaning to criticize or blame oneself harshly and excessively.
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