The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 3 letter word TAN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
T
A
N
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "beat" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case beat = tan.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TAN mean?
TAN noun- A yellowish-brown colour.
- A darkening of the skin resulting from exposure to sunlight or similar light sources.
- The bark of an oak or other tree from which tannic acid is obtained.
- Of a yellowish-brown.
- Having dark skin as a result of exposure to the sun.
- To change to a tan colour due to exposure to the sun.
- To change an animal hide into leather by soaking it in tannic acid. To work as a tanner.
- To spank or beat.
- The second cardinal number two, formerly used in Celtic areas, especially Cumbria and parts of Yorkshire, for counting sheep, and stitches in knitting.
- An Armenian drink made of yoghurt and water similar to airan and doogh
- A traditional South and East Asian unit of weight, based upon the load of a shoulder pole and varying by place and over time but usually standardized at about 60 kg.
- A twig or small switch.