beat down

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

beat down (third-person singular simple present beats down, present participle beating down, simple past beat down, past participle beaten down)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see beat,‎ down.

   The transmission tower was beaten down by the storm.

2. (transitive) To forcefully diminish the power or influence of; to quell; to squash.

   The government tried to beat down the opposition movement.

3. (intransitive) (of the sun) To shine brightly and radiate with intense heat.

   We had to leave the beach because the sun was really beating down.

4. (intransitive) (of rain) To strike with great force.

   It was a ghastly morning, with the rain beating down in sheets.

5. (transitive) To wear (someone) out by repeated actions that overwhelm one's patience or strength.

   She continued to badger until his friend did what he said. Eventually, she beat him down and he gave in.

6. (transitive, informal) To haggle with (someone) to sell at a lower price.

   I managed to beat him down to half his original asking price.

   We beat the price down to 50 dollars.

7. (transitive, slang) To severely beat someone up.

beat down (plural beat downs)

1. Alternative spelling of beatdown

• downbeat