Beat up on
verb phrase
To attack someone physically or emotionally.
He used to beat up on his younger brother.
Often appears as...
- beat up on someone
- beat up on himself
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
verb phrase
To criticize someone harshly.
The critics always beat up on his movies.
Often appears as...
- beat up on someone's work
- beat up on someone's efforts
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb phrase
To attack someone physically or emotionally.
He used to beat up on his younger brother.
Often appears as...
- beat up on someone
- beat up on himself
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
verb phrase
To criticize someone harshly.
The critics always beat up on his movies.
Often appears as...
- beat up on someone's work
- beat up on someone's efforts
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Aggression
Refers to actual hitting or fighting, not just arguing or verbal fights.
Stop beating up on your cousin; use your words, not fists.
Pro Tip 2/3Bullying Context
Often used when one person is picking on someone weaker or vulnerable.
The older kids were beating up on the new student, which was cruel.
Pro Tip 3/3Repeated Actions
Can imply a pattern of abuse, either physical or emotional, over time.
He got in trouble for repeatedly beating up on his classmates.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Aggression
Refers to actual hitting or fighting, not just arguing or verbal fights.
Stop beating up on your cousin; use your words, not fists.
Pro Tip 2/3Bullying Context
Often used when one person is picking on someone weaker or vulnerable.
The older kids were beating up on the new student, which was cruel.
Pro Tip 3/3Repeated Actions
Can imply a pattern of abuse, either physical or emotional, over time.
He got in trouble for repeatedly beating up on his classmates.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Aggression
Refers to actual hitting or fighting, not just arguing or verbal fights.
Stop beating up on your cousin; use your words, not fists.
Pro Tip 2/3Bullying Context
Often used when one person is picking on someone weaker or vulnerable.
The older kids were beating up on the new student, which was cruel.
Pro Tip 3/3Repeated Actions
Can imply a pattern of abuse, either physical or emotional, over time.
He got in trouble for repeatedly beating up on his classmates.
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