1. Home
2. Idioms
3. beat time

beat time

---

---

beat time

To demonstrate the tempo and rhythm of a piece of music via metronomic actions of the body, such as clapping one's hands, tapping one's feet, nodding one's head, etc. I can't help but beat time whenever I hear a song come on the radio. I always wanted to play an instrument, but I'm not good at beating time.

See also: beat, time

beat time

Mark musical time by beating a drum, clapping, tapping the foot, or a similar means. For example, Even as a baby, Dave always beat time when he heard music. [Late 1600s]

See also: beat, time