beat them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beat them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing defeating or overcoming others, whether in a competition, argument, or other scenarios. Example: "In the final match, our team managed to beat them and secure the championship title."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We beat them".

The New York Times

beat them last season.

The New York Times

We actually beat them.

The New York Times

"Can we beat them?

Independent

"Beat them," he declared.

The New York Times

We'd better beat them.

The New York Times - Sports

We beat them up.' ".

The New York Times

Did he beat them?

The New Yorker

"We'd beat them pretty good".

The New Yorker

Sometimes they even beat them".

The New York Times

They're tough to beat them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "beat them" is common in everyday language, more formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "defeat them" or "overcome them".

Common error

Avoid using "beat them" in formal or professional writing where a more sophisticated and less colloquial term might be more appropriate. Opt for terms like "defeat", "surpass", or "outperform" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beat them" functions as a verb phrase, where "beat" is the transitive verb and "them" is the object pronoun. It expresses the action of defeating or overcoming someone or something. Ludwig provides several examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beat them" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express victory or outperformance. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to assert dominance over an opponent. The phrase is most commonly found in news and sports contexts, though its formality is generally neutral and may require careful consideration depending on the writing style. While "beat them" is widely acceptable, formal contexts might benefit from alternatives such as "defeat them" or "overcome them". Remember to use this phrase appropriately to ensure clarity and impact in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defeat them

Replaces "beat" with a more formal synonym, implying a decisive win.

best them

A simpler and more direct way of saying "beat them".

outdo them

Emphasizes surpassing the opponent in performance or skill.

overcome them

Focuses on successfully dealing with challenges or difficulties posed by the opposition.

get the better of them

Indicates gaining an advantage and winning.

trounce them

Suggests a more emphatic and thorough victory.

conquer them

Suggests taking control or dominating the opposition.

prevail over them

Highlights succeeding against challenging odds.

triumph over them

Conveys a sense of great victory and celebration.

vanquish them

Implies overcoming an opponent completely, often in a more dramatic context.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "beat them"?

You can use alternatives like "defeat them", "overcome them", or "outdo them" depending on the context.

Is "beat them" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "beat them" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "defeat them" or "surpass them".

How do I use "beat them" in a sentence?

You can use "beat them" in sentences where you want to express that someone or something has won or outperformed another. For example, "Our team managed to beat them in the final round".

What's the difference between "beat them" and "defeat them"?

"Beat them" is more informal and commonly used in everyday speech, while "defeat them" is more formal and suitable for professional or academic writing. Both convey the same basic meaning of winning against an opponent.