Do better than thrash? (4)

I believe the answer is:

beat

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'thrash?' is the definition.
(I know that thrash is a more specific form of the action beat)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for beat that I've seen before include "course for law enforcement officers" , "assigned patrol" , "Throb; surpass" , "Defeat; pulsate" , "Flog" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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