beat a hasty retreat
Leave in haste
To beat a hasty retreat is to withdraw quickly, especially to escape an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.
The phrase comes from military drumming that signaled troops to fall back.
Now mostly figurative: When my ex walked in, I beat a hasty retreat to the back patio.
The hasty emphasizes speed and urgency—a regular retreat might be orderly, but a hasty one suggests near-panic or embarrassment.
- cut and runAbandon situation hastily
- run for the hillsUrgent retreat to safety
- abscondFlee to avoid capture
- fleeDepart swiftly from threat
- get out of DodgeUrgently leave a dangerous situation
withdraw · make a break for it · rout · depart · evacuate · flight · escape · scramble · make oneself scarce · dash · public humiliation · scurry away · bolt · run away · turn tail · tail between legs · skedaddle · take off
beat a hasty retreatstand one's ground
Refuse to back down
hold the line · advance · charge · attack · press forward
beat a hasty retreatstand firm
Refuse to retreat
hold fast · stay the course · stick it out · see it through · dig one's heels in
beats, beating, beaten, beater, hasty, haste, hasten, hastily, hastiness