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Chenyincheng Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

To beat somebody's brains out

Hi everyone,

Is it OK to put "over + noun" after the phrase "to beat somebody's brains out"? I couldn't find the usage in my learners' dictionary, but I did find pages of Google results of the usage. For example:

I do not want to be a student ever again! I'm done with beating my brains out OVER assignments and exams!

Thanks a lot! Also, please correct any other mistakes that you spot in anything I wrote. I'd really appreciate it! Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

Sure, it's okay. It's completely figurative. Even when you're "beating the c rap out of someone," it's usually figurative.

— Avangi

  • Sure, it's okay.
  • It's completely figurative.
  • Even when you're "beating the c rap out of someone," it's usually figurative.
  • So it's doubly figurative.
  • You're using a figurative expression which usually describes giving someone a severe beating, to describe a form of emotional self-abuse.
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1 Answers
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Sure, it's okay. It's completely figurative.

Even when you're "beating the c rap out of someone," it's usually figurative.

So it's doubly figurative. You're using a figurative expression which usually describes giving someone a severe beating, to describe a form of emotional self-abuse.
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