beat the dust
The phrase "beat the dust" has multiple meanings, primarily in equestrian contexts and as a colloquial expression.
Definition
C2Equestrian
(technical)When a horse takes in too little ground with its forelegs, resulting in a shorter stride.
Example
- During the race, the horse began to beat the dust, causing it to fall behind.
C2Equestrian
(technical)When a horse performs curvets too quickly or too low.
Example
- The rider struggled to control the horse as it started to beat the dust during the dressage routine.
B2Colloquial
(informal)To remove dust from an object by striking or brushing it.
Example
- She beat the dust off the old rug before bringing it inside.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "beat the dust":
dust offlick the dusteat someone's dustkick up dustdust upbeat feetbeat outbeat the stuffing out ofbeat onbeat ithit the dirtbeat the daylights out ofbeat the poop out ofhit the bricksbite the dustbeat the shit out ofbrush offthrow dirt onhit the pavementshake offsweep outbeat downsweep awaybeat offbeat upclear offbeat one's faceblow awaybeat hollowbash outkick upbat outbeat one's meatsweep asidethrow dirtrake outbrush outbrush asidebeat the clocksweep uprig outkick up one's heelstake to the cleanersblow offblow overbeat to a pulpstomp outkick into the long grassthresh outshake outwipe the floor with someonehaul one's asheshit the roadbeat up onclean house