Beat the tar out of one In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "beat the tar out of one", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Jenne Phuong calendar 2022-09-29 07:09

Meaning of Beat the tar out of one

Beat the tar out of one American informal verb phrase

The verbs "knock" and "whale" can be substituted for the verb "beat".

Beat or attack someone repeatedly and forcefully

They saw him beating the tar out of his dog with a stick.

It's cruel to beat the tar out of children.

Beat someone decisively in a competition

Bob always beats the tar out of me in tennis.

Grammar and Usage of Beat the tar out of one

Verb Forms

  • to beat the tar out of one
  • beats the tar out of one
  • beaten the tar out of one
  • beating the tar out of one

The verb "beat" should be conjugated according to its tense. 

Origin of Beat the tar out of one

The expression may have been brought to this country by some Scottish or north-of-England sheepherder who may have used it in a literal sense. Many centuries ago it was learned that a sore on a sheep, as from an accidental cut in shearing, could be protected against the festering bites of flies if smeared with tar. However, when tar once gets embedded into a sheep's wool, its removal is difficult. Thus, used in a literal sense, to beat a sheep's side for the removal of tar. 
 

The Origin Cited:
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