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.
(..) No. No, you and your men, you keep digging. I've got to find out where Zanbar is buried before I wish for its return, I can't risk another demon beating me to the throne. As you wish. Richard? Richard, You like your earrings? Oh, you're materializing now. (..)2004 TvShow: Charmed Title: I Dream of Phoebe Season: 6 Episode 15