take a beating
1. To be thoroughly beaten or thrashed. My younger brother was always a shy, skinny kid who often took a beating from schoolyard bullies.
2. To be soundly defeated or bested; to lose. Their team's inexperience showed on the pitch today, as they took a beating from the powerful squad from New Zealand.
3. To suffer severe losses or setbacks. The stock market took a beating after the period of political instability. My efforts to get my PhD have taken a beating over the last couple of years, but I'm still determined to see it through.
take a beating
to be beaten, bested, or defeated. The candidate took a beating in the primaries. The team took quite a beating.
take a ˈbeating
(American English also take a ˈlicking)
1 be damaged or hurt: The house took a terrible beating during the storms.Dad’s good humour had taken a beating.
2 lose a lot of money: Share prices on the London Stock Exchange took a beating last week.take a beating
tv. to be beaten, bested, or defeated. The candidate took a beating in the runoffs.