What do these words mean?
The city, which borders the south of France and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, beat off stiff competition from other foodie cities in the world including Tokyo, Sydney, New York and Paris.

1.What does the word "overlook" mean?
2.What does "beat off" mean and how to use it in writing and conversation?

Question

What do these words mean?
The city, which borders the south of France and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, beat off stiff competition from other foodie cities in the world including Tokyo, Sydney, New York and Paris.

1.What does the word "overlook" mean?
2.What does "beat off" mean and how to use it in writing and conversation?

Answer

overlook - it means that the city is on a hill or mountain that is near the ocean, so that it has a view of the ocean.

beat off - it won the competition

Answer

In this situation, overlook means to have a view of the ocean, to look over it. As Michael said, it is above whatever it is looking over, so on a hill or mountain.

Also as already mentioned, beat off means to win. But to add, I think to say "beat" is far more common than to say "beat off". There might be a nuance to beat off, but I think it's an expression that isn't used very often.

Answers · 4

Still haven’t found your answers?

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!