beats down

Verb

beat down (third-person singular simple present beats down, present participle beating down, simple past beat down, past participle beaten down)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see beat, down.
   • The transmission tower was beaten down by the storm.
2. (transitive) To forcefully diminish the power or influence of; to quell; to squash.
   • The government tried to beat down the opposition movement.
3. (intransitive) (of the sun) To shine brightly and radiate with intense heat.
   • We had to leave the beach because the sun was really beating down.
4. (intransitive) (of rain) To strike with great force.
   • It was a ghastly morning, with the rain beating down in sheets.
5. (transitive) To wear (someone) out by repeated actions that overwhelm one's patience or strength.
   • She continued to badger until his friend did what he said. Eventually, she beat him down and he gave in.
6. (informal, transitive) To haggle with (someone) to sell at a lower price.
   • I managed to beat him down to half his original asking price.

See all 7 meanings of beat down