beat feet
Leave in haste
Beat feet means to leave quickly or hurry away: We better beat feet before the cops show up.
The phrase evokes the rhythmic slapping of feet against pavement during a hasty departure.
It's informal and somewhat dated, more common in American English from the mid-twentieth century.
- pound the pavementActively seek employment on foot
- foot itWalk somewhere
- hit the pavementActively seek employment outdoors
- make tracksDepart with urgency
- skedaddleDepart hastily, often fearfully
vamoose · get out of Dodge · run away · bug out · make a break · run for it · hurry · shake a leg · escape · abscond · cut and run · leg it · scram · hoof it · clear out · bolt · hit the road · take off
- rhyming pairscat hat, true blue, old gold, wild child, sweet treat
beat feetstroll
Relaxed walk for enjoyment
saunter · amble · mosey · dawdle · leisurely stroll
beat feetstay put
Remain in place
stick around · remain · hang around · linger · tarry
beat feettake it easy
Advice to relax
relax · chill · keep cool · stay calm · take one's sweet time