to beat the band

Also, to beat all. To the greatest possible degree. For example, The baby was crying to beat the band, or The wind is blowing to beat the band, or John is dressed up to beat all. This idiom uses beat in the sense of “surpass.” The first term may, according to one theory, allude to a desire to arrive before the musicians who led a parade, so as to see the entire event. Another theory holds that it means “make more noise than (and thereby beat) a loud band.” [Colloquial; late 1800s]

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Times and UC Berkeley gave her a 50% approval rating among California voters, which is not exactly a number to beat the band.

From

“It’s raining to beat the band...perfect marbles weather!”

From

Charlie, though, creates songs and sings them as well, and he can play guitar to beat the band.

From

The show ends with most of the company taking a turn on the Russian swing — that’s a kind of horseless sledge — flinging themselves high into the air and smiling to beat the band.

From

Don’t seem right that it’s a beautiful summer day, with the sun shining to beat the band.

From

to-be To be, or not to be

Browse