beat down

present singular third person beats down · participle present beating down · participle past beaten down

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

   The transmission tower was beaten down by the storm.

2. transitiveTo 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. transitiveTo 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. informaltransitiveTo haggle with (someone) to sell at a lower price.

   We beat the price down to 50 dollars.

   1 more example

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

7. slangtransitiveTo severely beat someone up.

plural beat downs

1. alternativeAlternative spelling of beatdown.