From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishtake a beatingtake a beatingLOSE A GAME, COMPETITION, OR WARto lose very badly in a game or competition The Dodgers took a real beating on Saturday. → beating
Examples from the Corpus
take a beating• Looks like egg-laying has taken a beating.• But since then, software stocks have taken a beating.• He took a beating today but he played his butt off.• History is taking a beating and sacrosanct tour records are being kept in pencil.• A principle as old as ancient tribes and almost as remotely understood, diplomatic immunity is taking a beating this week.• The Mets took a real beating last Saturday.• They took a beating on the Mudchute.• Technology stocks of all sizes continued to take a beating.• Liverpool was taking a beating, and rumours were free for the asking on every street corner and in every food queue.• `I hear you took a bit of a beating last night.' 'Yeah, we lost 12 -2.' 