to beat a retreat
1
6.0
- idiom
:
retirarse
- As tensions rose during the debate, he chose to beat a retreat rather than escalate the argument.
Examples
-
D'Cey beat a retreat into the nearest mural chamber.
Fiction book (2000) -
Even that Neanderthal man is in love whereas you always beat a retreat.
-
The deck started to fill up and felt like a proper bar, so I thought perhaps it was time to beat a retreat before the pigeons let loose.
Blog text (26) -
Leaving the floor manager to hold Hannah's reins, I beat a retreat back to the control room, and I did not waste time because it was the fire marshal's time, not mine.
Fiction book (1995) -
Perceiving a slight nod, Adriane beat a retreat to the living room, where she turned the TV on—and then off.
Fiction book (2000) -
When the enemy troops advanced, the soldiers had no choice but to beat a retreat to safety.
-
The hikers decided to beat a retreat when they spotted the approaching storm.
Synonyms
∞
3.0
Leave a place quickly or suddenly
550
1.6
To leave secretly and quickly to get away from danger or control
331
2.4
To run away from a place because it is dangerous
92
2.9
To avoid dealing with a problem or responsibility
78
2.0
Leave a place suddenly, often to avoid someone or something
57
3.7
To move back to a safer place when facing danger
36
5.3
To try to escape quickly, often by running
20
3.8
Leave suddenly because you are in a hurry
18
8.3
To leave a place very quickly to escape danger or trouble
16
8.4
To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger
14
9.3
To run away quickly because you are afraid
13
4.4
To move back from a place or activity to avoid danger and trouble
12
7.2
To leave a place quickly and quietly to avoid something you should do
11
4.4
Leave a place quickly to avoid being caught after causing or seeing trouble
7
7.0
To run away quickly because you are afraid
7
9.2
Leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger
7
5.6
To leave a place quickly to escape danger or trouble
5
5.8
To leave a place suddenly and unexpectedly
5
4.9
Leave a place suddenly and quickly because you feel scared
5
6.6
Leave a place quickly because people are angry or you are in trouble
5
7.2
Leave quickly to go somewhere or to avoid trouble
5
8.0
To leave a place very quickly to avoid danger or trouble
4
7.8
To run away quickly to escape danger
3
8.8
To leave quickly to avoid trouble or questions
3
8.2
To leave a place quickly to escape danger
2
2.5
Leave a place quickly because you are in a hurry
2
9.8
To leave a place quickly to avoid trouble
2
9.0
To leave quickly to escape or avoid something
1
6.1
Run away quickly to escape danger or trouble
Run quickly into the woods to escape danger
To leave a place quickly and secretly, often taking things or someone
To stop trying and leave a situation quietly
To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid
To leave quickly to avoid trouble or attention
To run away quickly to avoid being caught
To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid
Antonyms
How Fast
1
6.0
2
2.5
331
2.4
550
1.6
176
1.3
32
3.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun 'retreat' already carries the core meaning of withdrawal, so a learner who knows that word will likely guess the phrase involves leaving; however, the verb 'beat' here does not mean the common sense 'win' and historically refers to 'beat (a drum)/sound a signal', which is not obvious to a B1 learner. Because the overall meaning is partially derivable from 'retreat' but depends on a less transparent sense of 'beat' and an idiomatic collocation, this is best classified as semi-transparent.
Etymology
Beat a retreat comes from old armies where drummers would beat their drums to tell soldiers to retreat and move back. So, beat a retreat means 'to leave quickly' or 'withdraw to avoid danger'.