How Do You Spell BEAT IT?

Pronunciation: [bˈiːt ɪt] (IPA)

The phrase "beat it" is a common slang expression used to tell someone to leave or go away. The spelling of this word is based on the pronunciation which is /biːt ɪt/. The first word "beat" is pronounced as /biːt/, with a long "e" sound followed by a hard "t" sound. The second word "it" is pronounced as /ɪt/, with a short "i" sound followed by a soft "t" sound. Together, these two words create a playful and casual command to leave someone's presence.

BEAT IT Meaning and Definition

1. "Beat it" is a phrasal verb commonly used in informal and colloquial English. It can have several different meanings based on the context in which it is used.

   1. To leave or go away: In this sense, "beat it" means to depart or move away from a particular place or situation. It is often used as an imperative or command to tell someone to leave or to express a desire for someone to stop bothering or irritating the speaker. Example: "I asked him to stop talking, but he wouldn't listen, so I told him to beat it."

   2. To escape or flee: In this sense, "beat it" means to run away or quickly escape from a threatening or dangerous situation. It is often used to describe a rapid departure to avoid trouble or harm. Example: "When the security guard noticed the shoplifters, they quickly gathered their things and beat it out of the store."

   3. To defeat or overcome: In this context, "beat it" means to overcome or surpass something, often in a competition or challenge. It can refer to achieving victory, success, or mastery over a task or opponent. Example: "After months of practice, she finally beat it and won the chess championship."

   Overall, "beat it" is a versatile phrase used to convey various ideas of departure, escape, or triumph based on the given context.

Common Misspellings for BEAT IT

• buat it

Etymology of BEAT IT

The etymology of the word "beat it" can be traced back to Middle English and Old English. The word "beat" originated from the Old English word "beatan", which meant "to strike, hit, pound". Over time, it evolved to also include the sense of "defeat" or "overpower".

The phrase "beat it" emerged in the 18th century and was initially used as a slang expression meaning "to go away", "leave quickly", or "depart abruptly". The word "it" in this context is used as a general pronoun referring to the situation, place, or person being referred to. The phrase gained popularity and entered mainstream usage due to the influence of American English and has continued to be used in informal speech ever since.

Idioms with the word BEAT IT

• can you beat it/that? The idiom "can you beat it/that?" is used to express surprise or astonishment about something. It is often used when someone hears about or experiences something that is unexpected, impressive, or extraordinary.
• beat it! "Beat it!" is an informal and impolite way of telling someone to go away or leave a place.