E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Beat.
A track, line, or appointed range. A walk often trodden or beaten by the feet, as a policeman’s boat. The word means a beaten path.
1
Not in my beat. Not in my line; not in the range of my talents or inclination.
2
Off his beat. Not on duty; not in his appointed walk; not his speciality or line.
3
“Off his own beat his opinions were of no value.”—Emerson: English Traitt, chap. i.
On his beat. In his appointed walk; on duty.
4
Out of his beat. In his wrong walk; out of his proper sphere.
5
To beat up one’s quarters. To hunt out where one lives; to visit without ceremony. A military term, signifying to make an unexpected attack on an enemy in camp.
6
“To beat up the quarters of some of our less-known relations.”—Lamb: Essays of Elia.
