B

[beat one's head against a wall]  {v. phr.}

To struggle uselessly against something that can't be beaten or helped; not succeed after trying very hard.

[beat the band]  {adv. phr.},  {informal}

At great speed; with much noise or commotion. — Used after "to".

The fire engines were going down the road to beat the band.

[beat the bushes] also [beat the brush]  {v. phr.},  {informal}

To try very hard to find or get something.

The mayor was beating the bushes for funds to build the playground.

Contrast: [BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH] or [BEAT AROUND THE BUSH].

[beat the drum]  {v. phr.}

To attract attention in order to advertise something or to promote someone, such as a political candidate.

[beat the gun]

See: [JUMP THE GUN].

[beat the --- out of] or

[lick the --- out of] or

[whale the --- out of]  {v. phr.},  {informal}

To beat hard; give a bad beating to. — Used with several words after "the", as "daylights", "living daylights", "tar".

* /The big kid told Charlie that he  […]

[beat the meat]  {v. phr.},  {vulgar},  {avoidable}

To masturbate (said primarily of men).

* /"So what did you do for sex in prison for seven years?" Joe asked. "Well, unless you want to become gay, you can beat the meat and that's about it," Max  […]

[beat the pants off]  {v. phr.}

1. To prevail over someone in a race or competition.

Jim beat the pants off George in the swimming race.

2. To give someone a severe physical beating.

* /Jack beat the pants off the two young men who were trying to  […]

[beat the rap]  {v. phr.}

To escape the legal penalty one ought to receive.

[beat the shit out of]  {v. phr.},  {vulgar},  {avoidable}

See: [KNOCK THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF].