# beat the bishop

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/beat-the-bishop
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To masturbate.

## Examples

- He went to his room to beat the bishop.
- Some people say that beating the bishop helps them fall asleep faster.
- You should lock the door if you plan to beat the bishop.
- The teenager felt embarrassed when his mother walked in while he was beating the bishop.
- He joked that living with three roommates meant he rarely had enough privacy to beat the bishop in peace.
- The doctor explained that beating the bishop is a normal and healthy part of adult life for most men.
- In the privacy of his own quarters, he found solace in beating the bishop after a long and stressful day.

## Origin

The origins of the expression remain uncertain, though it is commonly understood to be an informal variation of related phrases such as bash the bishop or beat one's meat. The term suggests a visual or rhythmic euphemism of recent vintage, but the historical record provides no specific date of coinage or attribution to a particular individual. The phrase relies upon a comparison to existing idiomatic structures rather than a documented etymological event. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.