1 C1 idiomatic slang
To become noticeably more muscular or physically larger, usually through exercise.
"He really beefed out after six months of weight training."
inseparable
beef out
C1 slang inseparable intransitive
To become more muscular or physically larger; sometimes used informally to mean to back down from a confrontation.
In plain English
To get more muscles and a bigger body, OR to get angry and then chicken out of a fight.
What does "beef out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To take on the qualities of beef — i.e., become meaty and muscular.
Actually means
To get more muscles and a bigger body, OR to get angry and then chicken out of a fight.
Usage tip
Rare and highly informal. The 'back down' sense is particularly uncommon and regional. Most ESL learners will not encounter this phrase often. Can be confused with 'beef up'.
Words that pair with "beef out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
gym muscles confrontation fight body
How to conjugate "beef out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
beef out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
beefs out
he/she/it
Past simple
beefed out
yesterday
Past participle
beefed out
have + pp
-ing form
beefing out
continuous
Hear "beef out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "beef out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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