Idiom Breakdown

pound a beat

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Definition

Of a police officer, to walk a regular route.

Of a journalist, to cover a regular beat, reporting on an assigned category of news.

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"Assigned to the riverfront precinct for years, he pounded a beat of backstreets and dockyards."
"Flat feet may be important to the patrolman who must pound a beat, but in cities with patrol cars, should mild cases of flat feet disqualify?"
"You can't ask a college graduate who is interested in law enforcement to pound a beat for four years before he becomes a sergeant."
"I worked my way up from a flatfoot pounding a beat to where I am today. I like being a cop, I'm proud of being a cop."
"Assigned to the city desk for years, she pounded a beat of city council and mayoral activity, police blotters, and the like."

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