beat-up

== English == === Etymology === Deverbal from beat up. === Adjective === beat-up (comparative more beat-up, superlative most beat-up) (chiefly of an object, informal) Worn out by overuse; in a state of disrepair === Noun === beat-up (plural beat-ups) (Australia, New Zealand) An artificially or disingenuously manufactured outcry, usually in the media. 2009, Natasha Robinson, 'James Packer book outrage a beat-up, says Paul Barry', The Australian, Business section “It has been suggested that this is a vicious book, a poisonous book, that it's a disgrace to have written it,” Mr Barry said at today's book launch. “That's a total beat-up." 2009, Michael Cook, 'Is Britain’s stem cell crisis a beat-up?', BioEdge Few areas of science journalism are more susceptible to frothy beat-ups than stem cell research. === Anagrams === up-beat, upbeat