beat-up

comparative more beat-up · superlative most beat-up

1. informalWorn out by overuse; in a state of disrepair

plural beat-ups

1. AustraliaNew ZealandAn artificially or disingenuously manufactured outcry, usually in the media.

   2009, Michael Cook, 'Is Britain’s stem cell crisis a beat-up?', BioEdge Few areas of science journalism are more susceptible to frothy beat-ups than stem cell research.

   1 more example

   2009, Natasha Robinson, 'James Packer book outrage a beat-up, says Paul Barry', The Australian, Business section “It has been suggested that this is a vicious book, a poisonous book, that it's a disgrace to have written it,” Mr Barry said at today's book launch. “That's a total beat-up."