beating

breast-beating

beat your breast - to publicly pretend that you feel sad or guilty. No amount of breast-beating will bring back those who died in the crash.

take a beating

to be defeated or to lose a lot of money. The Knicks really took a beating in last night's game. The company took a beating last year, losing $50 million in profits.

See also: take

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take a beating

1. to be severely defeated in a game or competition. The Knights really took a beating in last night's game.

2. to lose a lot of money. The company took a beating last year, losing about $50 million.

3. to be severely criticized. The president took a beating from environmental groups yesterday.

4. to be damaged by something. The southeast took another beating from the weather yesterday.

take a licking

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of take a beating (= to be hit and badly hurt)

See also: take