Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

I *took a beating*= I beat someone?

tHANKS

[advoca]

No it usually means that you lost in a game.
We were playing tennis but I lost heavily. I really took a beating.

It can also mean that you lost a great deal of money
I invested money in penny shares, and boy, did I take a beating! I lost my shirt.

It seldom has any connection with an actual beating. But you can sometimes come across the expression took his beating like a man. That means when someone is actually beaten he (or she) keeps silent and accepts the beating without complaint, without yelling, or squealing.
When the boy was caned by his headmaster he took his beating like a man and remained silent the whole time even though he was in pain.

[Blossom]

Missdaredevil

Did you get a good old-fashioned beating or a modern one?