
Beat your brains out
Metaphoric intensity
This phrase exaggerates effort by likening intense thinking to a violent act.

She was beating her brains out to remember the answer.
Frustration implied
Often used to express frustration during challenging mental tasks.

I've been beating my brains out trying to learn calculus.
Not literal
It doesn't mean physical harm; it's a figure of speech for effort.

They're beating their brains out to solve the puzzle.
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