Colloquial Variant guide

beat down

noun · verb · 11 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Alternative spelling of beatdown.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

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

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The transmission tower was beaten down by the storm.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To forcefully diminish the power or influence of; to quell; to squash.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The government tried to beat down the opposition movement.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

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

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

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

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

(of rain) To strike with great force.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

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

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

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

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

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

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

To haggle with (someone) to sell at a lower price.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, transitive

Examples

  • I managed to beat him down to half his original asking price.
  • We beat the price down to 50 dollars.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

To severely beat someone up.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: slang, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

verb

Meaning 9

dislodge from a position

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She beat the dealer down to a much better price

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: shift, dislodge, reposition

10

verb

Meaning 10

shine hard

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The sun beat down on the hikers

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: shine, beam

11

verb

Meaning 11

persuade the seller to accept a lower price

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She beat the merchant down $100

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bargain down

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: haggle, higgle, chaffer, huckster

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Italian: abbattersi — shine brightly and radiate with intense heat
  • Italian: battere a picco — shine brightly and radiate with intense heat
  • Italian: picchiare forte — shine brightly and radiate with intense heat
  • Italian: scrosciare — strike with great force
  • Italian: cadere a dirotto — strike with great force
  • Italian: battere con forza — strike with great force
  • Italian: tirare sul prezzo — haggle to sell at a lower price
  • Italian: mercanteggiare — haggle to sell at a lower price
  • Italian: fare calare — haggle to sell at a lower price