beat a retreat
Make quick exit
To beat a retreat is to withdraw, especially from a difficult or deteriorating situation.
The phrase comes from the military drum signal ordering troops to fall back.
Now it usually describes backing away from confrontation or abandoning an untenable position: When the CEO arrived, the complainers beat a hasty retreat.
- retireCease employment permanently
- scarperFlee hastily
- fleeDepart swiftly from threat
- run awayDepart hastily to escape
- quitCease doing something
tactical withdrawal · depart · turn tail · make a getaway · fall back · take leave · withdraw · cut and run · abandon ship · defeat · decamp · bugle call · army · conflict · concede · throw in the towel · wave the white flag · backpedal
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- escapeescape, flee, run away, get away, flight
- retreat commandsfall back, withdraw, pull back, back off, disengage
- Escape Termsbreak free, get away, run away, escape route, getaway
beat a retreatadvance
Move or progress forward
attack · charge · press forward · storm · push ahead
beat a retreatstand your ground
Refuse to back down
hold your ground · stand firm · hold fast · dig in · stand pat
beat a retreatstand firm
Refuse to retreat
hold fast · stand your ground · face the music · dig in one's heels · stick it out
beat, beats, beating, beaten, beater, beaters, retreat, retreats, retreated