Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
beat-seven-bells-out-of
idiomatic expression
/biːt ˈsɛvən bɛlz aʊt əv/
Definition
To defeat someone decisively or to punish someone severely.
Examples
- After the match, it felt like he had beaten the seven bells out of his opponent.
- When he saw the damage done to his car, he was ready to beat seven bells out of the person responsible.
Meaning
This phrase indicates a situation where one person overwhelmingly defeats another, often with a sense of brutality or thoroughness. It can also imply a serious physical confrontation.
Synonyms
- thrash
- defeat decisively
- pummel
- give a beating
