Phrasal verb
beat off
Meanings
To drive someone or something away by fighting, resisting, or pushing back.
To masturbate (informal and potentially offensive in many contexts).
Definition
To beat off means to force someone or something away by fighting or resisting.
To beat off means to drive away an attacker or threat by fighting, resisting, or pushing back. It is often used with things like attackers, animals, or competition. In informal speech, it can also mean to masturbate, so learners should be careful about context.
Examples
- The guards beat off the attackers at the gate.
- She beat off the dog with her umbrella and backed away slowly.
- I beat off three other applicants to win the spot on the team.
- They beat off repeated criticism by calmly explaining their plan.
Common mistake
Learners may use "beat off" in formal contexts without realizing it can have a sexual meaning in informal English.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.