To beat the dust

(Man.) To take in too little ground with the fore legs, as a horse.
- South.
To perform curvets too precipitately or too low.

See also: Beat, Beat

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by G. & C. Merriam Co.
Mentioned in
References in classic literature
Then she could make out that he tried his key--that he was blowing into it-- that he knocked it on the nearest post to beat the dust out--that he took it under a lamp to look at it--that he poked bits of stick into the lock to clear it--that he peeped into the keyhole, first with one eye, and then with the other--that he tried the key again-- that he couldn't turn it, and what was worse, couldn't get it out-- that he bent it--that then it was much less disposed to come out than before--that he gave it a mighty twist and a great pull, and then it came out so suddenly that he staggered backwards--that he kicked the door--that he shook it--finally, that he smote his forehead, and sat down on the step in despair.
Determined to beat the dust into submission, I reached for the duster once again and wiped all surfaces clean.
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