beat a hasty retreat

beat a (hasty) retreat

To leave a place or situation quickly. I beat a hasty retreat when I saw my ex-boyfriend walk into the party. When the rain started, everyone on the field beat a retreat indoors. We beat a hasty retreat when we saw that shady group of guys standing by the jukebox.
See also: beat, retreat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

beat a hasty retreat

If you beat a hasty retreat, you leave a place quickly in order to avoid an embarrassing or dangerous situation. Cockburn decided it was time to beat a hasty retreat. Note: People sometimes just say that someone beats a retreat. I can still beat a retreat to my own hotel, and pretend that none of this ever happened. Note: Other adjectives such as quick and rapid are sometimes used instead of hasty. You weren't tempted to change your mind and beat a quick retreat?
See also: beat, hasty, retreat
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

beat a hasty retreat

withdraw, typically in order to avoid something unpleasant.
In former times, a drumbeat could be used to keep soldiers in step while they were retreating.
See also: beat, hasty, retreat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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