beat up on
The phrase "beat up on" is commonly used in North American English to describe both physical and verbal actions against someone.
Definition
B2Physical Confrontation
(informal)To assault someone by hitting or kicking them repeatedly.
Example
- The bullies used to beat up on him after school.
- He was afraid they might beat up on him if he didn't comply.
B2Criticism
(informal)To criticize or blame someone excessively and unfairly.
Example
- Stop beating up on yourself; it wasn't your fault.
- The media tends to beat up on politicians during election season.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "beat up on":
beat upbeat downbeat the stuffing out ofbeat the shit out ofbeat onbeat to a pulpbeat the daylights out ofbeat the poop out ofpick onbanged upbang upbruise uprough uphit up againstbeat with the ugly stickbeat one's facekick someone's assbang aroundlay a glove onsmack updunk onbeat outgive someone the businesseat uptear uprun up onpound outhit upbug upknock the living daylights out ofgive someone a hard timebeat feethit outbust onbum raphit onfight upstomp onbang outbeat the dusthem upwhoop assrub up