take a beating
idiom
: to be beaten badly in a game or contest
The team took a beating in last night's game.
—often used figuratively to suggest a setback or lossOur plans took a real beating from the review committee.
Many investors took quite a (bad) beating when the stock market crashed.
Examples of take a beating in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The stainless steel can take a beating (and a chewing) and still look new.
—
Clint Davis, People.com, 4 July 2025
Shatterproof glass Lanterns can take a beating, both en route to the site and during the normal course of use.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 May 2025
With sturdy aluminum poles sourced from DAC, manufacturers of the tent poles in many of my favorite hiking tents on the market, and a UV-resistant, high-denier ripstop seat, this stool can take a beating (or many, many seatings).
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2025
Accessing the contents of your pack is made easy through a simple roll top and buckle, and the liner’s durable ripstop nylon is built to take a beating.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take a beating
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Clint Davis, People.com, 4 July 2025
Shatterproof glass Lanterns can take a beating, both en route to the site and during the normal course of use.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 May 2025
With sturdy aluminum poles sourced from DAC, manufacturers of the tent poles in many of my favorite hiking tents on the market, and a UV-resistant, high-denier ripstop seat, this stool can take a beating (or many, many seatings).
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2025
Accessing the contents of your pack is made easy through a simple roll top and buckle, and the liner’s durable ripstop nylon is built to take a beating.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take a beating
Cite this Entry
“Take a beating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20beating. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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