His wonderful performance will be 'hard/tough to beat'. = His wonderful performance will 'take some beating'. [=it will be difficult for anyone to do better than his wonderful performance]
He's been 'beating himself up' [=he has been harshly blaming or criticizing himself] because of the failure of his marriage.
('US') His favorite way of 'beating the heat' [=remaining cool in hot weather] is to have a couple of cold beers.
(..) - Maybe you'd like to tell the police. - Why don't we call the police? Why don't we call them and tell them what a lousy father you are... and that they should lock you up for beating your daughter? What? I never beat her. Is that what she told you? Stop blaming her for everything! (..)1996 Foxfire