Phrase guide

beats me

phrase · 1 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

phrase

Meaning 1

I don't know; I have no idea.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Do you have any idea what "tergiversate" means? Beats me!
  • Beats me how he finds out when we're goofing off.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

A shortening of it beats me

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Polish: bo ja wiem — I have no idea
  • Portuguese: sei lá — I have no idea
  • Swedish: vem vet — I have no idea
  • Swedish: säg det — I have no idea