[take] a beating

to experience a significant loss, failure, or setback in a particular situation

The origin of the idiom "take a beating" is unclear, but it likely comes from the literal meaning of taking a physical beating or being physically assaulted. This phrase is often used in informal or casual language to describe situations where someone has suffered a defeat or has been harmed in some way.

The athlete took a beating in the championship game, losing by a wide margin.
The company's stock has taken a beating in the market due to poor financial performance.
The politician's approval rating has taken a beating in recent weeks due to a scandal.

to receive physical punishment or endure physical harm

My younger brother was always a shy, skinny kid who often took a beating from schoolyard bullies.
well, I took a beating in prison and I kind of lost my hearing, you know.

to face strong negative feedback or verbal abuse

The idiom "take a beating" originated from the literal sense of enduring physical blows or attacks. It evolved into a figurative expression to describe facing strong negative feedback, criticism, or verbal abuse. This phrase is used to emphasize the challenging and often unpleasant nature of enduring harsh words or severe criticism, akin to the physical experience of withstanding a beating.

After the project failed to meet expectations, the team had to take a beating during the post-mortem meeting, enduring harsh critiques from the stakeholders.
The athlete took a beating in the media for his poor performance in the championship, facing criticism from sports analysts and fans alike.
During the heated debate, the politician had to take a beating from opponents who questioned his integrity and policy decisions.
The author's latest book received mixed reviews, and they had to take a beating from literary critics who found fault with the plot and character development.
In the competitive business world, entrepreneurs often have to take a beating from market forces, adapting to challenges and learning from failures to ultimately succeed.