beat time
To follow the rhythm of a piece of music by moving one's fingers or feet.
Jack was beating time with his foot during the concert, which annoyed his neighbor.
beat to the punch
beat to the draw
To do something before another person has a chance to do it.
Сделать что-либо прежде чем другой человек будет иметь шанс сделать это.
John was going to apply for the job, but Ted beat him to the draw.
Lois bought the dress before Mary could beat her to the punch.
I wanted to have the new car, but Sally beat me to the draw.
Мне хотелось получить новую машину, но Салли меня опередила.
beat to
To do something before someone else does it.
I was waiting to buy a ticket but only one ticket was left, and another man beat me to it.
We were planning to send a rocket into space but the Russians beat us to it.
beat up
To give a hard beating to; hit hard and much; thrash; whip.
When the new boy first came, he had to beat up several neighborhood bullies before they would leave him alone.
Used with on in substandard speech.
The tough boy said to Bill, "If you come around here again, I'll beat up on you."
beaten path
beaten track
The usual route or way of operating that has been conventionally established.
If we always follow the beaten path, we'll never have the courage to try something new.
beneath one
Below one's ideals or dignity.
Bob felt it would have been beneath him to work for such low wages.
between life and death
In danger of dying or being killed; with life or death possible.
He held on to the mountainside between life and death while his friends went to get help.
The little sick girl lay all night between life and death until her fever was gone.
bird of a different feather
A person who is free thinking and independent.
Syd won't go along with recent trends in grammar; he created his own. He is a bird of a different feather.