Search
beat it
01
used to tell someone to leave immediately
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "beat it" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "beat it" in the sense of instructing someone to leave or go away is linked to the broader concept of using force or physical action to drive something away. While the exact historical origin of the phrase is not documented, it likely emerged naturally in informal language. Over time, it became a common and widely understood way to tell someone to depart quickly or to leave a situation, and it has remained in use as an informal idiom.
Example
The teacher asked the disruptive student to beat it and not disrupt the class.
When the party was over, they told the remaining guests to beat it and go home.
The manager told the unwanted solicitor to beat it and not bother the employees.
Beat it!
Nearby Words
