beat to
beat (one) to (something)
1. To do or obtain something before one. I was going to suggest that idea to the boss today, but unfortunately one of my co-workers beat me to it. Tim's older cousins usually beat him to the best parts of the turkey, but this year he got first pick.
2. To reach a destination before one. They beat us to the restaurant, so they're going to get a table. If you run your fastest, no one will be able to beat you to the finish line.
See also: beat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
beat someone to something
to get to something before someone else; to claim something before someone else does. (See also beat someone into something.) You beat me to it and took the last cookie. Ken beat John to the door.
See also: beat
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
beat to
v.
1. To get to a place before someone else: You're fast—I'm sure you can beat all the other runners to the finish line.
2. To finish or achieve before someone else: I beat all the other students to the end of the test.
See also: beat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- give (one) (one's) head
- give head
- give somebody their head
- give someone their head
- (one) could use (something)
- drive (one) out of office
- force (one) out of office
- force out of office
- give somebody ideas
- give (one) ideas