beat on the door

USAGE SUMMARY

"beat on the door" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the action of hitting or pounding on a door, usually in an attempt to get someone's attention or gain entry. Example: The desperate woman beat on the door of the abandoned house, hoping someone inside would hear her and come to her aid.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I couldn't even beat on the door because there was no door".

The New Yorker

If y'all beat on the door, she'll come off the hinges".

The New Yorker

I think I've got to go there and beat on the door like the woman who beat on the door of the judge's chamber until he got sick of it and said, 'What do you want?!' And she said, 'Let me in here' And that's what I did".

The New Yorker

"I went down there and beat on the door and asked them who the hell they were and where they came from and what they were doing.

The New Yorker

Frost beat on the door, and left the startled keeper in no doubt as to what would befall him were he ever to threaten him again or bar access to the preserve.

The Guardian - Books

Listen to the cat beat on the door and yowl.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mr. Hodeiby, an independent candidate, escaped injury, although the tires of his car were slashed and a mob beat on the doors with sticks.

The New York Times

It presented worst-case scenarios of what might happen if the launch buttons were pushed: neighbors beat on the doors of bomb shelters closed to outsiders; Norman Rockwell villages became ghost towns, a tattered calendar telling us when time stopped; on bare plains, survivors shrivelled in the sun like bugs under a magnifying glass.

The New Yorker

We had to beat on the doors of the auditorium, which was terrible, as you can imagine.

Vice

Deputies and paramedics beat on the doors and windows for around 10 minutes, unsuccessfully trying to wake Hernandez, before breaking the window to get to him.

Huffington Post

As soon as someone fell asleep they started beating on the door.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beat on the door" to vividly describe a character's urgency, frustration, or desperation to gain entry or attention. Ensure the context clearly indicates the reason and emotional state behind this action.

Common error

Avoid using "beat on the door" when a simple "knock" would suffice. The phrase implies a high level of distress or insistence; using it in a casual context can create unintended drama or misrepresent the situation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "beat on the door" is to act as a verb phrase describing a physical action. It vividly portrays the act of striking a door, often to gain attention or entry. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is considered correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "beat on the door" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of forcefully striking a door, typically to gain attention or entry. Ludwig AI confirms this and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. While not overly common, the phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "pound on the door" and "bang on the door", which carry similar connotations of urgency or frustration. When using this phrase, consider the implied intensity and ensure it aligns with the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pound on the door

Emphasizes a more forceful and louder action of hitting the door repeatedly.

bang on the door

Suggests a sudden, loud impact on the door, often indicating urgency or frustration.

hammer on the door

Implies a relentless and forceful striking of the door, creating a sense of persistence.

knock loudly on the door

Focuses on the act of knocking with considerable force to gain attention.

rap sharply on the door

Indicates a quick, distinct series of strikes on the door, possibly conveying impatience.

thump on the door

Suggests a dull, heavy sound from hitting the door, often indicating a lack of finesse.

rattle the door

Focuses on the shaking or vibrating of the door due to forceful contact.

assault the door

Implies a more violent and aggressive action against the door, often with the intent to break it down.

try to break the door down

Expresses the intent to forcibly open the door, often in a desperate or aggressive manner.

demand entry

Shifts the focus from the physical action to the assertive request to be allowed inside.

FAQs

What does "beat on the door" mean?

The phrase "beat on the door" means to hit or pound on a door repeatedly and forcefully, usually to get someone's attention or to try to enter. It often implies urgency or frustration.

What can I say instead of "beat on the door"?

You can use alternatives like "pound on the door", "bang on the door", or "hammer on the door" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "beat on the door" an idiom?

While "beat on the door" is not typically considered a formal idiom, it is a common expression with a clear and understandable meaning, implying a forceful and often urgent attempt to gain entry or attention.

How do I use "beat on the door" in a sentence?

You can use "beat on the door" to describe someone's actions, such as, "Desperate to escape the fire, she started to beat on the door, hoping someone would hear her cries for help."