beat at (someone or something)

beat at (someone or something)

To attempt to strike a person or thing. I beat at that bug with a broom, but I was too scared to get close enough to actually hit it. The girl beat at the advancing bully, but he easily tossed her aside. A: "You're only beating at the roach, you know. You won't be able to hit it unless you open your eyes!" B: "Why don't you kill it then?"

See also: beat

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

beat at something

to strike out at something. He beat at his attacker to no avail. Lily beat at the snake, but didn't harm it.

See also: beat

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.