beat to it
Related to beat to it: beat generation, beat up
beat (one) to it
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 wanted the last turkey leg, but his brother beat him to it.
See also: beat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
beat to it
1. Get ahead of someone to obtain something, as in There was only enough for one, so Jane ran as fast as she could in order to beat Jerry to it . [Colloquial; c. 1900]
2. Also, beat to the draw or punch . React more quickly than someone else. For example, The new salesman tried to serve one of my customers, but I beat him to the draw and Bill was determined to get there first and beat everyone else to the punch. The variants imply aggression to get ahead, draw alluding to the drawing of a pistol and punch to hitting with the fists. [Second half of 1800s]
See also: beat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- 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