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beat back

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beat someone or something back

to drive someone or something back to where it came from. We beat them back to where they were before the war started. The army beat back the defenders and saved the town. They were able to beat the wolves back and make an escape.

See also: back, beat

beat back something

also beat something back

to reduce the power or importance of something People who experience a disaster have to beat back the fear and sadness all over again when another disaster strikes. Once again, health-care reform has been beaten back in Congress.

See also: back, beat

beat back

Force to retreat or withdraw, as in His findings beat back all their arguments to the contrary. This phrase was often used in a military context (and still is), as in Their armies were beaten back. [Late 1500s]

See also: back, beat