ENGLISH
REFERENCE

beat out

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to win a competition or get a job by being slightly better than other people.

phr. v.. to defeat a competitor or rival, often by a narrow margin, in order to secure a specific prize, position, or advantage.


SIMPLE

She beat out three other candidates for the job.

CONTEXTUAL

Our company managed to beat out the local competition to win the government contract.

COMPLEX

The small independent film unexpectedly beat out several big-budget blockbusters to take home the top prize at the festival.

Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
beat + out + object
Usage

usually followed by a person, a group, or a rival company as the object.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'beat' (general winning) by explaining that 'beat out' emphasizes the selection process or a race where many people wanted the same single thing.

Pitfall

He beat out to his brother.He beat out his brother.do not use 'to' after the phrase; the person or group you defeat is the direct object.

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