ADJ

regular, rhythmic, steady
pounding

VERB + BEAT

clap to, dance to, sway to
They danced to the rhythmic beat of the music

PHRASES

two, three, four, etc. beats to the bar
The piece has four beats to the bar
sb's heart misses/skips a beat (= sb feels very nervous)
As I opened the letter, my heart missed a beat

VERB + BEAT

pound, walk
We have two officers walking the beat after midnight

PREP

on the ~
officers on the beat

ADV

comfortably, comprehensively, convincingly, easily, hands down, soundly
He beat her hands down
narrowly
He was narrowly beaten by his opponent

PREP

at
She beat him at chess
by
beating her by just three points

PHRASES

beat sb into second, third, etc. place
He was beaten into second place by the American

ADV

badly, brutally, savagely, severely, violently

PREP

with
She was beaten with a metal bar

PHRASES

beat sb about/over the head
He had been beaten about the head with a rock
beat sb to death, beat sb unconscious

ADV

fast, frantically, painfully, rapidly, wildly
I could feel my heart beating wildly

ADV

thoroughly, well
Beat the mixture well, until it is light and creamy
lightly
Add three eggs, lightly beaten
PHRASAL VERBS beat down
mercilessly, relentlessly

PREP

on/upon
The African sun beat relentlessly down on his aching head