1
general::
Phrase(s): beat the hell out of someone [and] beat the living daylights out of someone; beat the pants off (of) someone; beat the shit out of someone; beat the socks off (of) someone; beat the stuffing out of someone; beat the tar out of someone
1. Fig. to defeat someone very badly. (Caution: the use of the word shit is considered vulgar and is offensive to many people. Of is usually retained before pronouns.) • Our team beat the hell out of the other side. • We beat the stuffing out of the other side. 2. Fig. Inf. to batter someone severely. (Alludes to physical violence, not the removal of someone’s pants. Of is usually retained before pronouns.) • The thugs beat the living daylights out of their victim. • If you do that again, I’ll beat the pants off of you. • Before the boxing match Max said he would beat the socks off Lefty.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs