taking a beating

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking a beating" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express physical or emotional hardship. For example, "The boxer took a beating in the ring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

That cachet is taking a beating.

The New York Times

But it is still taking a beating.

The Economist

"Probably the federal government is taking a beating.

The Guardian

Rob Johnson of the Buffalo Bills was taking a beating.

The New York Times - Sports

Middle-aged, male A-list stars are taking a beating.

The Guardian - Film

Jordan was taking a beating off the court.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The cloud took a beating.

The New York Times

He promptly took a beating.

The New Yorker

Both sides took a beating.

The Economist

He takes a beating.

The New York Times - Sports

Our pocketbook has taken a beating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking a beating" to vividly describe situations where something or someone is experiencing significant damage, loss, or hardship. It adds impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "taking a beating" in literal contexts, such as physical construction. Instead, reserve it for metaphorical situations involving hardship, loss, or defeat to maintain clarity and appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a beating" functions as an idiomatic expression, serving as a verbal phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It vividly describes a situation where something or someone is experiencing significant hardship or defeat.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiomatic phrase "taking a beating" is a common and usable expression to describe situations involving hardship, loss, or defeat. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and suitable for written English. While primarily found in news and media contexts, its informality may require careful consideration in academic or formal writing. Alternative phrases like "suffering heavy losses" or "experiencing hardship" can provide more formal options. When employing this expression, remember to consider the metaphorical nature and appropriateness for the intended audience to ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffering heavy losses

Focuses on the aspect of loss, often financial or strategic.

experiencing hardship

Highlights the difficulty and adversity being faced.

undergoing a thrashing

Emphasizes a severe defeat or intense criticism.

getting hammered

A more informal way to express severe negative impact.

facing a mauling

Suggests a brutal attack or overwhelming defeat.

being trounced

Highlights a complete and decisive defeat.

enduring a setback

Emphasizes a temporary impediment or reversal.

encountering difficulties

A more general term for facing problems or challenges.

having a rough time

An informal way to describe a period of hardship.

feeling the pinch

Focuses on the experience of financial strain or scarcity.

FAQs

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

You can use "taking a beating" to describe something experiencing hardship or defeat, like: "The company's stock price is "taking a beating" due to the recent scandal."

What's a more formal alternative to "taking a beating"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "suffering heavy losses" or "experiencing hardship", depending on the specific context.

Is "taking a beating" appropriate for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "taking a beating" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Evaluate your audience and consider more formal alternatives if necessary.

What does it mean when someone says something is "taking a beating"?

It means that something is experiencing significant damage, loss, or difficulty. It's often used metaphorically to describe situations where things are going poorly.