Question 1

What does "beat off" mean?

Accepted Answer

To successfully resist or defeat an attack, competitor, or challenge.

Question 2

How do you use "beat off" in a sentence?

Accepted Answer

The local team beat off strong competition to win the regional championship.

Question 3

Is "beat off" formal or informal?

Accepted Answer

"beat off" is register-neutral — appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. In British English, 'beat off' is a normal, neutral phrasal verb meaning to repel. In American informal English, it has a vulgar secondary meaning, so speakers sometimes prefer 'fight off' or 'fend off' to avoid ambiguity.

beat off

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