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beat a retreat
(redirected from retreat)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.06 sec.
beat a retreat
to leave a place because it is dangerous or unpleasant. When the cold grows overwhelming, visitors can beat a retreat to Joe Mulligan's warm saloon. When we saw the police arriving we beat a hasty retreat.
See also: beat

beat a (hasty) retreat
to quickly leave. When the cold grows overwhelming, visitors can beat a retreat to Joe Mulligan's warm bar and restaurant.
Etymology: based on the military meaning of beat a retreat (= to drum a signal to soldiers that they are to move back from a fight, usually one they have lost)
See also: beat

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