1 B1 idiomatic informal
To do or reach something before a rival or another person has the chance to.
"I was about to suggest the same idea, but she beat me to it."
inseparable
beat to
B2 informal inseparable transitive
To do or reach something before someone else does.
In plain English
To get somewhere or do something before another person can.
What does "beat to" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
In the phrase 'beat to the punch': to act before someone else acts against you or takes advantage.
"Their competitor beat them to the punch by releasing a similar product two months earlier."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To arrive at a destination by striking out ahead of someone.
Actually means
To get somewhere or do something before another person can.
Usage tip
Almost always used in the pattern 'beat someone to something' or 'beat someone to it'. Very common in everyday speech and informal writing.
Words that pair with "beat to"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
punch it draw finish line door idea
How to conjugate "beat to"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
beat to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
beats to
he/she/it
Past simple
beat to
yesterday
Past participle
beaten to
have + pp
-ing form
beating to
continuous
Hear "beat to" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "beat to" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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