beating away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beating away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of striking or hitting something repeatedly, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "He was beating away at the drum, creating a rhythm that filled the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

A line of depressed faces, their manager's the most miserable of all, his heart beating away on that sleeve.

The Guardian - Sport

With seconds of that arrival Scwharzer has to make another good save, beating away a Jarolim blockbuster from 20 yards.

The Guardian - Sport

'The face flickers all the time, and what I feel is this intelligence beating away behind the face.

The Guardian

In beating away Stanislav Angelov's shot after an hour, Hart enabled England to go straight down the pitch and score their second.

The Guardian - Sport

He remembers driving it on the potholed roads near his ranch, the wipers beating away the winter rain, the six-cylinder engine firing up whenever asked.

The Guardian - Books

In the emotional rush that precedes buying a home — negotiating contract details and price, beating away rival bidders, searching for the best mortgage deal — closing costs often aren't a pressing concern.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Although Szczesny beat away Christian Benteke's effort, the Belgian nodded in the rebound.

The Guardian - Sport

Difficult to beat away, Ireland found it impossible to win key games at home.

The Guardian - Sport

The Turks threatened also as Szczesny beat away a fierce drive from Sneijder, the former Inter Milan midfielder.

Independent

Simon Cox had tested Declan Rudd early with a snap shot the Preston goalkeeper did well to beat away.

Independent

After a few minutes they beat away, dropping into the darkness to recover and then continue their journey upstream.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "beating away", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being repelled or deflected, whether it's a physical object, an abstract threat, or an unwanted advance.

Common error

While "beating away" is acceptable, in formal writing, consider alternatives like "repelling" or "fending off" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "beating away" is that of a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "beating" (present participle of "beat") with the adverb "away" to create a distinct meaning, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Books

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beating away" functions as a phrasal verb meaning to repel or deflect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Sports contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "repelling" or "fending off" in formal writing. Though not highly frequent, understanding its proper usage will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beating back

This alternative is more direct in using a similar term of "beating", but emphasizes repelling.

fending off

Focuses on actively defending against an attack or unwanted advance.

warding off

Implies protection or deflection, often against something negative or harmful.

staving off

Suggests delaying or preventing something negative from occurring.

repelling

Suggests a strong and forceful rejection or driving back.

driving back

Emphasizes pushing something away from a specific position.

deflecting

Implies changing the direction of something, often to avoid a direct impact.

averting

Suggests preventing something undesirable from happening.

combating

Highlights active opposition and struggle against something.

battling

Emphasizes a sustained and determined effort to overcome something.

FAQs

What does "beating away" mean?

"Beating away" means to repel, deflect, or ward off something, either physically or metaphorically. It implies a forceful or repeated action to keep something at bay.

How can I use "beating away" in a sentence?

You can use "beating away" in sentences like: "The goalkeeper was "beating away" shots on goal," or "The company is "beating away" competitors with its innovative products."

What are some alternatives to "beating away"?

Alternatives to "beating away" include "fending off", "warding off", "repelling", or "driving back", depending on the specific context.

Is "beating away" formal or informal?

"Beating away" is generally considered neutral in tone. While acceptable in various contexts, more formal alternatives like "repelling" or "deflecting" might be preferable in formal writing.